EP4560067A1

EP4560067A1 - Laundry device comprising a control

Info

Publication number: EP4560067A1
Application number: EP23211064.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michal Combrzynski-Nogala; Marcin Baran
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2023-11-21
Filing date: 2023-11-21
Publication date: 2025-05-28
Also published as: CN120026485A

Abstract

Laundry device (100) comprising a drying chamber (101) for drying laundry and an air channel (103). The air channel (103) is connected with the drying chamber (101) via an air inlet (105) and an air outlet (107). The air inlet (105) is configured to feed air from the drying chamber (101) into the air channel (103). The air outlet (107) is configured to feed the air from the air channel (103) back into the drying chamber (101). An evaporator (109) is arranged downstream of the air inlet (105) in the air channel (103). The evaporator (109) is configured to cool down the air supplied by the air inlet (105) to condense water at the evaporator (109) during cooling of the air, wherein impurities, in particular fluff, in the air are deposited at the evaporator (109). The laundry device (100) comprises a collection container (111) arranged below the evaporator (109). The collection container (111) is configured to collect the condensed water of the evaporator (109). The collection container (111) is fluidly connected via a pumping line (113) with at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2), which is arranged above the evaporator (109). A pump-out line (114) is fluidly connected to the collection container (111) to remove water from the collection container (111). The laundry device (100) comprises a control (117) and a pump (119). In a cleaning phase (112-2) the control (117) is configured to activate the pump (119) to pump the water collected in the collection container (111) via the pumping line (113) into the at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2). In the cleaning phase (112-2) the at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2) is configured to feed the pumped water onto the evaporator (109) to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the evaporator (109) into the collection container (111). A water level sensor (110) connected to the control (117) is arranged inside the collection container (111). The water level sensor (110) is adapted to detect a water level of water in the collection container (111). In a collecting phase (112-1) before the cleaning phase (112-2), the control (117) is configured to activate the pump (119) to pump water out of the laundry device (100) through the pump-out line (114) when a first water level (121) is detected by the water level sensor (110). The control (117) is configured to deactivate the pump (119) in the collecting phase (112-1) when a second water level (123) below the first water level (121) is reached.

Description

The present disclosure relates to a laundry device comprising a control, in particular to a dryer or wash-dryer comprising a control.

BACKGROUND

In conventional laundry devices, such as dryers or wash-dryers, wet laundry is introduced into a laundry drum. During a drying process, liquid content of the wet laundry has to be reduced, for example, by removing liquid from the laundry. Typically, in conventional laundry devices, in particular in conventional laundry devices with a heat pump, an evaporator of a heat exchange mechanism is provided to reduce the humidity of air circulating in the drying process. During the drying process, impurities of the laundry, such as fluff, can be accommodated in the circulating air and can accumulate on the evaporator, thereby reducing the efficiency of the heat exchange mechanism and the drying process of the laundry.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a laundry device, in particular a dryer or wash-dryer, which allows efficient drying of laundry.
This object is achieved by way of the features of the independent patent claim. Advantageous developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description, and the appended figures.
According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a laundry device, wherein the laundry device comprises a drying chamber for drying laundry and an air channel, wherein the air channel is connected with the drying chamber via an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the air inlet is configured to feed air from the drying chamber into the air channel, wherein the air outlet is configured to feed the air from the air channel back into the drying chamber, wherein an evaporator is arranged downstream of the air inlet in the air channel, wherein the evaporator is configured to cool down the air supplied by the air inlet to condense water at the evaporator during cooling of the air, wherein impurities, in particular fluff, in the air are deposited at the evaporator, wherein the laundry device comprises a collection container arranged below the evaporator, wherein the collection container is configured to collect the condensed water of the evaporator, wherein the collection container is fluidly connected via a pumping line with at least one fluid diffuser, which is arranged above the evaporator, wherein a pump-out line is fluidly connected to the collection container to remove water from the collection container, wherein the laundry device comprises a control and a pump, wherein in a cleaning phase the control is configured to activate the pump to pump the water collected in the collection container via the pumping line into the at least one fluid diffuser, wherein in the cleaning phase the at least one fluid diffuser is configured to feed the pumped water onto the evaporator to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the evaporator into the collection container, wherein a water level sensor connected to the control is arranged inside the collection container, wherein the water level sensor is adapted to detect a water level of water in the collection container, wherein in a collecting phase before the cleaning phase, the control is configured to activate the pump to pump water out of the laundry device through the pump-out line when a first water level is detected by the water level sensor, wherein the control is configured to deactivate the pump in the collecting phase when a second water below the first water level is reached.
As a result, the second water level can define a predetermined volume of the condensed water in the collection container for providing the at least one fluid diffuser with the predetermined volume of the condensed water in the cleaning phase. Thereby, an efficient flushing process with the predetermined volume can be achieved. The predetermined volume can be an optimal volume of condensed water, which enables the impurities, in particular the fluff, to be efficiently flushed from the evaporator into the collection container.
The pump may be arranged on a bottom of the collection container.
The laundry device according to the present disclosure in particular refers to a laundry device which is adapted to dry laundry, in particular by thereby removing or at least significantly reducing the amount of water attached to the laundry. In particular the laundry device according to the present disclosure is a dryer, which is adapted to dry laundry.
More particular, the laundry device according to the present disclosure is a heat-pump tumble dryer.
According to an embodiment, a fan is arranged in the air channel, which is configured to feed the air from the air inlet into the air channel and out of the air outlet.
As a result, the air can be efficiently fed through the air channel. The fan may be arranged in the air inlet.
According to an embodiment, the evaporator is arranged in a heat cycle of a heat pump, wherein a cooling means is circulating in the heat cycle of the heat pump, which cooling means is configured to cool down the evaporator.
As a result, the evaporator can be efficiently operated. The heat cycle may further comprise a condenser for heating air, a compressor for increasing the temperature and the pressure of the cooling means and an expansion valve for reducing the temperature and the pressure of the cooling means. The expansion valve may be arranged downstream of the condenser in the heat cycle. The evaporator may be arranged downstream of the expansion valve in the heat cycle. The compressor may be arranged downstream of the evaporator in the heat cycle. The condenser may be arranged downstream of the compressor in the heat cycle.
According to an embodiment, the at least one fluid diffuser comprises a first fluid diffuser arranged above a section of the evaporator and a further first fluid diffuser arranged above a further section of the evaporator, wherein the first fluid diffuser is configured to feed the pumped water onto the section of the evaporator in the cleaning phase to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the section of the evaporator into the collection container, wherein the further first fluid diffuser is configured to feed the pumped water onto the further section of the evaporator in the cleaning phase to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the further section of the evaporator into the collection container, wherein a first valve is arranged in the pumping line, wherein the pumping line is connected to the first fluid diffuser in a first state of the first valve and wherein the pumping line is connected to the further first fluid diffuser in a second state of the first valve.
As a result, more effective evaporators, i.e. evaporators with greater dimensions, can be efficiently used in the laundry device. The cleaning phase may be divided into several sections, in which the pump is activated by the control. Between the sections of the cleaning phase, the first valve may be controlled by the control in order to flush a different section of the evaporator.
According to an embodiment, the at least one fluid diffuser comprises a first fluid diffuser arranged above the evaporator and configured to feed the pumped water onto the evaporator in the cleaning phase to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the evaporator into the collection container, wherein a condenser is arranged in the air channel downstream of the evaporator, wherein the condenser is configured to heat the air cooled by the evaporator, wherein further impurities, in particular further fluff, of the air are deposited at the condenser, wherein the collection container is arranged below the evaporator and the condenser, wherein the at least one fluid diffuser comprises a second fluid diffuser arranged above the condenser and configured to feed the pumped water onto the condenser in the cleaning phase to flush the further impurities, in particular further fluff, from the condenser into the collection container.
As a result, the efficiency of the condenser can be increased as well by cleaning it from the further impurities, in particular the further fluff. The cleaning phase may be divided into several sections, in which the pump is activated by the control. Between the sections of the cleaning phase, a valve may be controlled by the control in order to switch between flushing the condenser and flushing the evaporator.
According to an embodiment, the condenser is arranged in a heat cycle of a heat pump, wherein a cooling means is circulating in the heat cycle of the heat pump, which cooling means is configured to heat the condenser.
As a result, the condenser can be efficiently operated. The heat cycle may further comprise a compressor for increasing the temperature and the pressure of the cooling means and an expansion valve for reducing the temperature and the pressure of the cooling means. The expansion valve may be arranged downstream of the condenser in the heat cycle. The evaporator may be arranged downstream of the expansion valve in the heat cycle. The compressor may be arranged downstream of the evaporator in the heat cycle. The condenser may be arranged downstream of the compressor in the heat cycle.
According to an embodiment, the at least one fluid diffuser comprises a second fluid diffuser arranged above a section of the condenser and a further second fluid diffuser arranged above a further section of the condenser, wherein the second fluid diffuser is configured to feed the pumped water onto the section of the condenser in the cleaning phase to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the section of the condenser into the collection container, wherein the further second fluid diffuser is configured to feed the pumped water onto the further section of the condenser in the cleaning phase to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the further section of the condenser into the collection container, wherein a second valve is arranged in the pumping line, wherein the pumping line is connected to the second fluid diffuser in a first state of the second valve and wherein the pumping line is connected to the further second fluid diffuser in a second state of the second valve.
As a result, more effective condensers, i.e. condensers with greater dimensions, can be efficiently used in the laundry device. The cleaning phase may be divided into several sections, in which the pump is activated by the control. Between the sections of the cleaning phase, the second valve may be controlled by the control in order to flush a different section of the condenser.
According to an embodiment, in the collecting phase, the control is configured to activate the pump to pump the water out of the collection container through the pump-out line by a predetermined time in order to reach the second water level in the collection container.
As a result, the second water level can be efficiently reached, for example, without the need for a further water level sensor. The predetermined time may be determined by experiments.
According to an embodiment, in a draining phase after the cleaning phase, the control is configured to activate the pump to pump water together with the impurities, in particular the fluff, out of the collection container through the pump-out line.
As a result, the collection container can be cleaned of the impurities, which allows a subsequent cleaning phase to be more efficient. The collecting phase may be repeated after the draining phase.
According to an embodiment, the control is configured to activate the pump to pump the water collected in the collection container via the pumping line into the at least one fluid diffuser in the cleaning phase during a drying program of the laundry device.
As a result, the cleaning of the evaporator and in particular of the condenser can be performed frequently.
According to an embodiment, the laundry device comprises a moisture sensor configured to detect a moisture level of the laundry accommodated in the drying chamber, wherein the control is configured to activate the pump to pump the water collected in the collection container via the pumping line into the at least one fluid diffuser in the cleaning phase when the moisture level of the laundry accommodated in the drying chamber falls below a predetermined moisture level threshold during the drying program of the laundry device.
As a result, the cleaning of the evaporator and in particular of the condenser can be performed before the laundry is further dried at low moisture levels. The predetermined moisture level threshold may lie between 10 and 14 percent moisture of the laundry, preferably between 11 and 13 percent moisture of the laundry, most preferably at about 12 percent moisture of the laundry.
According to an embodiment, the control is configured to activate the pump to pump the water collected in the collection container via the pumping line into the at least one fluid diffuser in the cleaning phase at the end of a drying program of the laundry device.
As a result, the cleaning of the evaporator and in particular of the condenser can be performed before a new drying program is started.
According to an embodiment, the second water level is a volume of the condensed water in the collection container, at which the pump is able to pump the condensed water through the pumping line with a predetermined volumetric flow rate, in particular an optimal volumetric flow rate of the pump, during the cleaning phase.
As a result, the evaporator and in particular of the condenser can be flushed efficiently. The second water level may be a water level, at which the impeller of the pump is fully immersed during the cleaning phase in order to achieve the predetermined volumetric flow rate.
According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a laundry device, wherein the laundry device comprises a drying chamber for drying laundry and an air channel, wherein the air channel is connected with the drying chamber via an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the air inlet is configured to feed air from the drying chamber into the air channel, wherein the air outlet is configured to feed the air from the air channel back into the drying chamber, wherein an evaporator is arranged downstream of the air inlet in the air channel, wherein the evaporator is configured to cool down the air supplied by the air inlet to condense water at the evaporator during cooling of the air, wherein impurities, in particular fluff, in the air are deposited at the evaporator, wherein the laundry device comprises a collection container arranged below the evaporator, wherein the collection container is configured to collect the condensed water of the evaporator, wherein the collection container is fluidly connected via a pumping line with at least one fluid diffuser, which is arranged above the evaporator, wherein a pump-out line is fluidly connected to the collection container to remove water from the collection container, wherein the laundry device comprises a control and a pump, wherein a water level sensor connected to the control is arranged inside the collection container, wherein the method comprises: activating, by the control, the pump in a cleaning phase to pump the water collected in the collection container via the pumping line into the at least one fluid diffuser; feeding, by the at least one fluid diffuser, in the cleaning phase the pumped water onto the evaporator to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the evaporator into the collection container; detecting, by the water level sensor, a water level of water in the collection container; activating, by the control, the pump in a collecting phase before the cleaning phase to pump water out of the laundry device through the pump-out line when a first water level is detected by the water level sensor; and deactivating, by the control, the pump in the collecting phase when a second water level below the first water level is reached.
As a result, the second water level can define a predetermined volume of the condensed water in the collection container for providing the at least one fluid diffuser with the predetermined volume of the condensed water in the cleaning phase. Thereby, an efficient flushing process with the predetermined volume can be achieved. The predetermined volume can be an optimal volume of condensed water, which enables the impurities, in particular the fluff, to be efficiently flushed from the evaporator into the collection container.
Embodiments of the first aspect are also embodiments of the second aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further examples of the principles and techniques of that disclosure are explained in greater detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a laundry device according to an embodiment;
Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an air channel of a laundry device according to an embodiment;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a collection container of a laundry device according to an embodiment;
Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a water level curve of a water level in a collection container and a schematic diagram of an activation time of a pump of a laundry device according to an embodiment; and
Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method according to an embodiment for controlling a laundry device according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a laundry device 100 according to an embodiment.
The laundry device 100, which is only schematically shown in Fig. 1, comprises a schematically shown drying chamber 101 for drying laundry, which may be arranged in an interior space of the laundry device 100. During a drying program of the laundry device 100 for performing a laundry treatment process, wet laundry, which may be received in the drying chamber 101, may be treated and afterwards the treated laundry may be taken out by the user from the drying chamber 101. During the drying program, the laundry may give off moisture and impurities, in particular fluff, to the air in the drying chamber 101.
As schematically shown in Fig. 1, the laundry device 100 further comprises an air channel 103. The air channel 103 is connected with the drying chamber 101 via an air inlet 105 and an air outlet 107. The air inlet 105 is configured to feed air from the drying chamber 101 into the air channel 103. The air outlet 107 is configured to feed the air from the air channel 103 back into the drying chamber 101. A fan 127 may be arranged in the air channel 103, which is configured to feed the air from the air inlet 105 into the air channel 103 and out of the air outlet 107.
As schematically shown in Fig. 1, the laundry device 100 further comprises an evaporator 109 arranged downstream of the air inlet 105 in the air channel 103. The evaporator 109 is configured to cool down the air supplied by the air inlet 105 to condense water at the evaporator 109 during cooling of the air. The evaporator 109 may be arranged in a heat cycle of a heat pump, wherein a cooling means may be circulating in the heat cycle of the heat pump, which cooling means may be configured to cool down the evaporator 109.
Impurities, in particular fluff, in the air are deposited at the evaporator 109. The laundry device 100 comprises a collection container 111 arranged below the evaporator 109. The collection container 111 is configured to collect the condensed water of the evaporator 109. The collection container 111 is fluidly connected via a pumping line 113 with at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, 115-2, which is arranged above the evaporator 109.
As schematically shown in Fig. 1, the at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, 115-2 may comprise a first fluid diffuser 115-1 arranged above the evaporator 109 and configured to feed the pumped water onto the evaporator 109 in a cleaning phase 112-2 to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the evaporator 109 into the collection container 111.
A condenser 125 may be arranged in the air channel 103 downstream of the evaporator 109. The condenser 125 may be configured to heat the air cooled by the evaporator 109. The condenser 125 may be arranged in the heat cycle of the heat pump. The cooling means circulating in the heat cycle of the heat pump may be configured to heat the condenser 125.
Further impurities, in particular further fluff, of the air may be deposited at the condenser 125. The collection container 111 may be arranged below the evaporator 109 and the condenser 125. The at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, 115-2 may comprise a second fluid diffuser 115-2 arranged above the condenser 125 and configured to feed the pumped water onto the condenser 125 in the cleaning phase 112-2 to flush the further impurities, in particular further fluff, from the condenser 125 into the collection container 111.
The laundry device 100 comprises a control 117 and a pump 119. In the cleaning phase 112-2 (not shown in Fig. 1), in particular during a drying program of the laundry device 100 or at the end of a drying program of the laundry device 100, the control 117 is configured to activate the pump 119 to pump the water collected in the collection container 111 via the pumping line 113 into the at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, 115-2.
The laundry device 100 may comprise a moisture sensor configured to detect a moisture level of the laundry accommodated in the drying chamber 101. The control 117 may be configured to activate the pump 119 to pump the water collected in the collection container 111 via the pumping line 113 into the at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, 115-2 when the moisture level of the laundry accommodated in the drying chamber 101 falls below a predetermined moisture level threshold during the drying program of the laundry device 100.
In the cleaning phase 112-2, the at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, 115-2 is configured to feed the pumped water onto the evaporator 109 to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the evaporator 109 into the collection container 111.
A water level sensor 110 (not shown in Fig. 1) connected to the control 117 is arranged inside the collection container 111. The water level sensor 110 is adapted to detect a water level of water in the collection container 111.
A pump-out line 114 is fluidly connected to the collection container 111 to remove water from the collection container 111. In a collecting phase 112-1 before the cleaning phase 112-2, the control 117 is configured to activate the pump 119 to pump water out of the laundry device 100 through the pump-out line 114 when a first water level 121 is detected by the water level sensor 110. In the collecting phase 112-1, the control 117 may be configured to activate the pump 119 to pump the water out of the collection container 111 through the pump-out line 114 by a predetermined time in order to reach a second water level 123 in the collection container 111. The pump-out line 114 may be connected with a drain 116 of the laundry device 100.
The control 117 is configured to deactivate the pump 119 in the collecting phase 112-1 when the second water level 123 below the first water level 121 is reached. The second water level 123 may be a volume of the condensed water in the collection container 111, at which the pump 119 is able to pump the condensed water through the pumping line 113 with a predetermined volumetric flow rate, in particular an optimal volumetric flow rate of the pump 119, during the cleaning phase 112-2.
In a draining phase 112-3 (not shown in Fig. 1) after the cleaning phase 112-2, the control 117 may be configured to activate the pump 119 to pump water together with the impurities, in particular the fluff, out of the collection container 111 through the pump-out line 114.
Although not shown in Fig. 1, the at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, 115-2 may be configured to flush sections of the condenser 125 and/or of the evaporator 109. The at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, 115-2 may comprise a first fluid diffuser 115-1 arranged above a section of the evaporator 109 and a further first fluid diffuser arranged above a further section of the evaporator 109. The first fluid diffuser 115-1 may be configured to feed the pumped water onto the section of the evaporator 109 in the cleaning phase 112-2 to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the section of the evaporator 109 into the collection container 111. The further first fluid diffuser may be configured to feed the pumped water onto the further section of the evaporator 109 in the cleaning phase 112-2 to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the further section of the evaporator 109 into the collection container 111. A first valve may be arranged in the pumping line 113. The pumping line 113 may be connected to the first fluid diffuser 115-1 in a first state of the first valve and the pumping line 113 may be connected to the further first fluid diffuser in a second state of the first valve.
Likewise, the at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, 115-2 may comprise a second fluid diffuser 115-2 arranged above a section of the condenser 125 and a further second fluid diffuser arranged above a further section of the condenser 125. The second fluid diffuser 115-2 may be configured to feed the pumped water onto the section of the condenser 125 in the cleaning phase 112-2 to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the section of the condenser 125 into the collection container 111. The further second fluid diffuser may be configured to feed the pumped water onto the further section of the condenser 125 in the cleaning phase 112-2 to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the further section of the condenser 125 into the collection container 111. A second valve may be arranged in the pumping line 113. The pumping line 113 may be connected to the second fluid diffuser 115-2 in a first state of the second valve and the pumping line 113 may be connected to the further second fluid diffuser in a second state of the second valve.
Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an air channel 103 of a laundry device 100 according to an embodiment. As described for Fig. 1, the laundry device 100 comprises a drying chamber 101, an evaporator 109, at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, an air inlet 105, an air outlet 107, a fan 127, a condenser 125, and a collection container 111.
Fig. 2 schematically shows a flow direction 103-1 of the air in the air channel 103. Warm and wet air from the drying chamber 101 enters the air channel 103 through the air inlet 105, in which the fan 127 may be arranged and then passes the evaporator 109. At the evaporator 109 the air is cooled down and a moisture level of the air is reduced by condensation of water on the evaporator 109. Then the air passes the condenser 125 at which the air is heated again. The air then enters the drying chamber 101 through the air outlet 107 (not shown in Fig. 2).
As further shown in Fig. 2, the collection container 111 may be arranged below the evaporator 109 and the air channel 103 to collect the water condensed at the evaporator 109 and the pumped water flushed by the at least one diffuser 115-1. The collection container 111 may comprise openings 111-1 for passing the condensed water and the pumped water into the collection container 111.
Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a collection container 111 of a laundry device 100 according to an embodiment. As described in Fig. 1, the laundry device 100 comprises a water level sensor 110 and a pump 119.
As schematically shown in Fig. 3, the water level sensor 110 may comprise two electrodes, which electrically close a detection circuit of the water level sensor 110 when the water level in the collection container 111 reaches the first water level 121.
Fig. 3 further shows the second water level 123, which may be reached by activating the pump 119 (not shown in Fig. 3) a predetermined time after the first water level 121 is detected.
Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a water level curve 129 of a water level in a collection container 111 and a schematic diagram of an activation time of a pump 119 of a laundry device 100 according to an embodiment. As described for Fig. 1, the laundry device 100 comprises a drying chamber 101, an evaporator 109, a collection container 111, at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, 115-2, a control 117, and a pump 119.
The ordinate of the top diagram of figure 4 shows a water level in the collection container 111 and the abscissa of the top diagram of figure 4 shows the time. The ordinate of the bottom diagram of figure 4 shows a signal level of the control 117 for the pump 119 and the abscissa of the bottom diagram of figure 4 shows the time.
As shown in Fig. 4 by the water level curve 129, in the collecting phase 112-1 the water level in the collection container 111 may rise by condensing warm and wet air from the drying chamber 101 (not shown in Fig. 4) at the evaporator 109 (also not shown in Fig. 4) until the first water level 121 is reached in the collection container 111.
Then the pump 119 is activated to reduce the water level in the collection container 111 to the second water level 123, which may be repeated a plurality of times in the collecting phase 112-1. Corresponding activation signals 130 of the control 117 for controlling the pump 119 are shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 4.
After the collecting phase 112-1, in the cleaning phase 112-2, the pump 119 is configured to pump the water to the at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, 115-2 to flush and thereby clean the evaporator 109 from the impurities, in particular the fluff. While flushing the evaporator 109 with the water from the collection container 111 the water level in the collection container 111 remains stable, as the pumped water is resupplied to the collection container 111.
As shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 4, the cleaning phase 112-2 may be divided into several sections 112-2a, 112-2b, in which the pump 119 is activated by the control 117. Between the sections 112-2a, 112-2b of the cleaning phase 112-2, a valve such as the first valve described for Fig. 1 may be controlled by the control 117 in order to flush a different section of the evaporator 109. Additionally, the condenser 125 may be flushed by controlling a valve or different sections of the condenser 125 may be flushed by controlling a valve such as the second valve described for Fig.1.
After the cleaning phase 112-2, in the draining phase 112-3, the pump 119 may be configured to pump the water and the impurities, in particular the fluff, accommodated in the water out of the collection container 111. A corresponding activation signal of the control 117 for controlling the pump 119 is shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 4.
Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method 200 according to an embodiment for controlling a laundry device 100 according to an embodiment.
As described in Fig. 1 and not shown in Fig. 5, the laundry device 100 comprises a drying chamber 101 for drying laundry and an air channel 103, wherein the air channel 103 is connected with the drying chamber 101 via an air inlet 105 and an air outlet 107. The air inlet 105 is configured to feed air from the drying chamber 101 into the air channel 103. The air outlet 107 is configured to feed the air from the air channel 103 back into the drying chamber 101. An evaporator 109 is arranged downstream of the air inlet 105 in the air channel 103. The evaporator 109 is configured to cool down the air supplied by the air inlet 105 to condense water at the evaporator 109 during cooling of the air. Impurities, in particular fluff, in the air are deposited at the evaporator 109. The laundry device 100 comprises a collection container 111 arranged below the evaporator 109. The collection container 111 is configured to collect the condensed water of the evaporator 109. The collection container 111 is fluidly connected via a pumping line 113 with at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, 115-2, which is arranged above the evaporator 109. A pump-out line 114 is fluidly connected to the collection container 111 to remove water from the collection container 111. The laundry device 100 comprises a control 117 and a pump 119. A water level sensor 110 connected to the control 117 is arranged inside the collection container 111.
The method 200 comprises a first step 201 of activating, by the control 117, the pump 119 in a cleaning phase 112-2 to pump the water collected in the collection container 111 via the pumping line 113 into the at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, 115-2.
The method 200 further comprises a second step 203 of feeding, by the at least one fluid diffuser 115-1, 115-2, in the cleaning phase 112-2 the pumped water onto the evaporator 109 to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the evaporator 109 into the collection container 111.
The method 200 further comprises a third step 205 of detecting, by the water level sensor 110, a water level of water in the collection container 111.
The method 200 further comprises a fourth step 207 of activating, by the control 117, the pump 119 in a collecting phase 112-1 before the cleaning phase 112-2 to pump water out of the laundry device 100 through the pump-out line 114 when a first water level 121 is detected by the water level sensor 110.
The method 200 further comprises a fifth step 209 of deactivating 209, by the control 117, the pump 119 in the collecting phase 112-1 when a second water level 123 below the first water level 121 is reached.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

100: laundry device
101: drying chamber
103: air channel
103-1: flow direction
105: air inlet
107: air outlet
109: evaporator
110: water level sensor
111: collection container
111-1: openings
112-1: collecting phase
112-2: cleaning phase
112-2a: first section of cleaning phase
112-2b: second section of cleaning phase
112-3: draining phase
113: pumping line
114: pump-out line
115-1: first fluid diffuser
115-2: second fluid diffuser
116: drain
117: control
119: pump
121: first water level
123: second water level
125: condenser
127: fan
129: water level curve
130: activation signal
200: method for controlling a laundry device
201: first step of the method: activating the pump
203: second step of the method: feeding the pumped water onto the evaporator
205: third step of the method: detecting a water level
207: fourth step of the method: activating the pump
209: fifth step of the method: deactivating the pump

Claims

Laundry device (100), wherein the laundry device (100) comprises a drying chamber (101) for drying laundry and an air channel (103), wherein the air channel (103) is connected with the drying chamber (101) via an air inlet (105) and an air outlet (107), wherein the air inlet (105) is configured to feed air from the drying chamber (101) into the air channel (103), wherein the air outlet (107) is configured to feed the air from the air channel (103) back into the drying chamber (101), wherein an evaporator (109) is arranged downstream of the air inlet (105) in the air channel (103), wherein the evaporator (109) is configured to cool down the air supplied by the air inlet (105) to condense water at the evaporator (109) during cooling of the air, wherein impurities, in particular fluff, in the air are deposited at the evaporator (109), wherein the laundry device (100) comprises a collection container (111) arranged below the evaporator (109), wherein the collection container (111) is configured to collect the condensed water of the evaporator (109), wherein the collection container (111) is fluidly connected via a pumping line (113) with at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2), which is arranged above the evaporator (109), wherein a pump-out line (114) is fluidly connected to the collection container (111) to remove water from the collection container (111),
wherein the laundry device (100) comprises a control (117) and a pump (119), wherein in a cleaning phase (112-2) the control (117) is configured to activate the pump (119) to pump the water collected in the collection container (111) via the pumping line (113) into the at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2), wherein in the cleaning phase (112-2) the at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2) is configured to feed the pumped water onto the evaporator (109) to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the evaporator (109) into the collection container (111), wherein a water level sensor (110) connected to the control (117) is arranged inside the collection container (111), wherein the water level sensor (110) is adapted to detect a water level of water in the collection container (111),

characterized in that in a collecting phase (112-1) before the cleaning phase (112-2), the control (117) is configured to activate the pump (119) to pump water out of the laundry device (100) through the pump-out line (114) when a first water level (121) is detected by the water level sensor (110), wherein the control (117) is configured to deactivate the pump (119) in the collecting phase (112-1) when a second water level (123) below the first water level (121) is reached.
Laundry device (100) according to claim 1, wherein a fan (127) is arranged in the air channel (103), which is configured to feed the air from the air inlet (105) into the air channel (103) and out of the air outlet (107).
Laundry device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the evaporator (109) is arranged in a heat cycle of a heat pump, wherein a cooling means is circulating in the heat cycle of the heat pump, which cooling means is configured to cool down the evaporator (109).
Laundry device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2) comprises a first fluid diffuser (115-1) arranged above a section of the evaporator (109) and a further first fluid diffuser arranged above a further section of the evaporator (109), wherein the first fluid diffuser (115-1) is configured to feed the pumped water onto the section of the evaporator (109) in the cleaning phase (112-2) to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the section of the evaporator (109) into the collection container (111), wherein the further first fluid diffuser is configured to feed the pumped water onto the further section of the evaporator (109) in the cleaning phase (112-2) to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the further section of the evaporator (109) into the collection container (111), wherein a first valve is arranged in the pumping line (113), wherein the pumping line (113) is connected to the first fluid diffuser (115-1) in a first state of the first valve and wherein the pumping line (113) is connected to the further first fluid diffuser in a second state of the first valve.
Laundry device (100) according to according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2) comprises a first fluid diffuser (115-1) arranged above the evaporator (109) and configured to feed the pumped water onto the evaporator (109) in the cleaning phase (112-2) to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the evaporator (109) into the collection container (111),
wherein a condenser (125) is arranged in the air channel (103) downstream of the evaporator (109), wherein the condenser (125) is configured to heat the air cooled by the evaporator (109), wherein further impurities, in particular further fluff, of the air are deposited at the condenser (125), wherein the collection container (111) is arranged below the evaporator (109) and the condenser (125), wherein the at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2) comprises a second fluid diffuser (115-2) arranged above the condenser (125) and configured to feed the pumped water onto the condenser (125) in the cleaning phase (112-2) to flush the further impurities, in particular further fluff, from the condenser (125) into the collection container (111).
Laundry device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the condenser (125) is arranged in a heat cycle of a heat pump, wherein a cooling means is circulating in the heat cycle of the heat pump, which cooling means is configured to heat the condenser (125).
Laundry device (100) according to according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2) comprises a second fluid diffuser (115-2) arranged above a section of the condenser (125) and a further second fluid diffuser arranged above a further section of the condenser (125), wherein the second fluid diffuser (115-2) is configured to feed the pumped water onto the section of the condenser (125) in the cleaning phase (112-2) to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the section of the condenser (125) into the collection container (111), wherein the further second fluid diffuser is configured to feed the pumped water onto the further section of the condenser (125) in the cleaning phase (112-2) to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the further section of the condenser (125) into the collection container (111), wherein a second valve is arranged in the pumping line (113), wherein the pumping line (113) is connected to the second fluid diffuser (115-2) in a first state of the second valve and wherein the pumping line (113) is connected to the further second fluid diffuser in a second state of the second valve.
Laundry device (100) according to according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the collecting phase (112-1), the control (117) is configured to activate the pump (119) to pump the water out of the collection container (111) through the pump-out line (114) by a predetermined time in order to reach the second water level (123) in the collection container (111).
Laundry device (100) according to according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in a draining phase (112-3) after the cleaning phase (112-2), the control (117) is configured to activate the pump (119) to pump water together with the impurities, in particular the fluff, out of the collection container (111) through the pump-out line (114).
Laundry device (100) according to according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control (117) is configured to activate the pump (119) to pump the water collected in the collection container (111) via the pumping line (113) into the at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2) in the cleaning phase (112-2) during a drying program of the laundry device (100).
Laundry device (100) according to claim 10, wherein the laundry (100) device comprises a moisture sensor configured to detect a moisture level of the laundry accommodated in the drying chamber (101), wherein the control (117) is configured to activate the pump (119) to pump the water collected in the collection container (111) via the pumping line (113) into the at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2) in the cleaning phase (112-2) when the moisture level of the laundry accommodated in the drying chamber (101) falls below a predetermined moisture level threshold during the drying program of the laundry device (100).
Laundry device (100) according to according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control (117) is configured to activate the pump (119) to pump the water collected in the collection container (111) via the pumping line (113) into the at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2) in the cleaning phase (112-2) at the end of a drying program of the laundry device (100).
Laundry device (100) according to according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second water level (123) is a volume of the condensed water in the collection container (111), at which the pump (119) is able to pump the condensed water through the pumping line (113) with a predetermined volumetric flow rate, in particular an optimal volumetric flow rate of the pump (119), during the cleaning phase (112-2).
Method (200) for controlling a laundry device (100), wherein the laundry device (100) comprises a drying chamber (101) for drying laundry and an air channel (103), wherein the air channel (103) is connected with the drying chamber (101) via an air inlet (105) and an air outlet (107), wherein the air inlet (105) is configured to feed air from the drying chamber (101) into the air channel (103), wherein the air outlet (107) is configured to feed the air from the air channel (103) back into the drying chamber (101), wherein an evaporator (109) is arranged downstream of the air inlet (105) in the air channel (103), wherein the evaporator (109) is configured to cool down the air supplied by the air inlet (105) to condense water at the evaporator (109) during cooling of the air, wherein impurities, in particular fluff, in the air are deposited at the evaporator (109), wherein the laundry device (100) comprises a collection container (111) arranged below the evaporator (109), wherein the collection container (111) is configured to collect the condensed water of the evaporator (109), wherein the collection container (111) is fluidly connected via a pumping line (113) with at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2), which is arranged above the evaporator (109), wherein a pump-out line (114) is fluidly connected to the collection container (111) to remove water from the collection container (111), wherein the laundry device (100) comprises a control (117) and a pump (119), wherein a water level sensor (110) connected to the control (117) is arranged inside the collection container (111),
wherein the method (200) comprises:
activating (201), by the control (117), the pump (119) in a cleaning phase (112-2) to pump the water collected in the collection container (111) via the pumping line (113) into the at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2);

feeding (203), by the at least one fluid diffuser (115-1, 115-2), in the cleaning phase (112-2) the pumped water onto the evaporator (109) to flush the impurities, in particular the fluff, from the evaporator (109) into the collection container (111);

detecting (205), by the water level sensor (110), a water level of water in the collection container (111);

characterized in that the method (200) comprises:
activating (207), by the control (117), the pump (119) in a collecting phase (112-1) before the cleaning phase (112-2) to pump water out of the laundry device (100) through the pump-out line (114) when a first water level (121) is detected by the water level sensor (110); and

deactivating (209), by the control (117), the pump (119) in the collecting phase (112-1) when a second water level (123) below the first water level (121) is reached.