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The present invention relates to a laundry dryer wherein the water in the water collection receptacle, in which the condensate obtained through condensation of drying air is collected, is prevented from freezing due to cold.
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In laundry dryers, the heated air is delivered onto the laundry loaded into the drum. The heated air dehumidifies the laundry. The moist air is passed over an evaporator having a cold surface so as to condense the moisture in the air. The condensed water is transferred to the collection receptacle by means of drainage channels. Subsequently, the condensed water in the collection receptacle is either discharged outside by means of a pump or is generally sent to a water tank provided in the upper section of the laundry dryer. Since the pump disposed in the collection receptacle is positioned at a certain height, it is not possible to suck all of the water. Therefore, a certain amount of water remains in the collection receptacle at the end of the drying cycle. If the laundry dryer is kept in a cold environment, the water remaining in the collection receptacle freezes. After the water freezes, the frozen water prevents the pump in the collection receptacle from operating when the laundry dryer is desired to be operated again. This situation leads to improper functioning of the laundry dryer. In the state of the art, there are laundry dryers having structures wherein the heat obtained from the heat pump is transferred to the collection receptacle in various ways so as to prevent the water collected in the collection receptacle from freezing or so as to melt the frozen water. However, such structures have generally high costs and are inefficient in terms of thermal conduction.
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In the state of the art
European Patent Application No. EP3808889 , a laundry dryer is disclosed, wherein it is detected that the condensate has frozen, and heat is transferred into the collection receptacle to melt the frozen condensate.
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The aim of the present invention is the realization of a laundry dryer wherein the water in the collection receptacle is prevented from freezing or the frozen water in the collection receptacle is melted.
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The laundry dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a drum which is disposed in a body and wherein the laundry to be dried is loaded. The laundry dryer comprises an air duct which circulates the drying air delivered into the drum. A heat exchanger configured to heat the air and an evaporator configured to condense the moisture in the air used in the drying process are provided in the air duct. The water condensed by the evaporator is sent to the collection receptacle. In the laundry dryers particularly installed in cold environments, in order to prevent the water in the collection receptacle from freezing or to melt the water in the collection receptacle after freezing, the collection receptacle is required to be heated. Therefore, the laundry dryer comprises a thermal conduction member which enables at least a portion of the heat in the air duct to be transferred to the collection receptacle. The thermal conduction member comprises a first part which is provided at least partially in the air duct and a second part which is provided at least partially in the collection receptacle, the two parts being thermally connected to each other. Thus, at least a portion of the heat obtained from the air heated by the heat exchanger is transferred to the collection receptacle. In other words, the collection receptacle is heated by utilizing the heat obtained from the hot air circulating in the air duct by means of the thermal conduction member. At least a portion of the thermal conduction member is manufactured from a material with high thermal conductivity. Preferably, the thermal conduction member is manufactured from metals with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, iron, or steel. Thus, the heat in the air duct is efficiently transferred to the interior of the collection receptacle.
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In an embodiment of the present invention, the first part is provided on the duct side wall. Thus, the first part is positioned so as not to obstruct the air flow in the air duct. In a preferred version of the present invention, the first part is in the form of a plate.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the first part extends over the duct side wall in a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction. Thus, it is ensured that more hot air is passed over the first part, and the first part is heated more effectively.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer comprises a fan which is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger with respect to the air flow direction. The first part is positioned between the heat exchanger and the fan. The heat exchanger ensures the heating of the air. By passing the heated air over the first part, the first part is enabled to be effectively heated.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the first part comprises at least one first embossment form which is provided on the surface of the first part facing the air duct. Thus, the surface area of the surface of the first part facing the air duct is increased. Consequently, it is ensured that the first part draws more heat from the air duct. The first embossment forms are preferably positioned on the first part at equal or varying intervals.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the first embossment form acts as an air guiding member. The first embossment form is designed to direct the air passing thereover toward the fan. Thus, the reduction of the air flow rate in the air duct by the first embossment form is prevented.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the first embossment form has a triangular cross-section. The surface of the first embossment form facing the air duct has an isosceles triangular shape. Thus, the air flow in the air duct is properly directed from the first part toward the fan.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the collection receptacle comprises a receptacle base and at least one receptacle side wall surrounding the receptacle base. The collection receptacle is preferably in the form of a completely closed box. Thus, the entry of any foreign matter into the collection receptacle is prevented.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the second part is provided on the receptacle base. Since the condensate remaining in the collection receptacle stays on the receptacle base, the heat in the second part is enabled to be directly transferred to the condensate. Thus, heat is efficiently and rapidly transferred to the condensate in the collection receptacle.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the second part is provided on the receptacle side wall. Thus, the second part is prevented from occupying excessive space in the collection receptacle.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the second embossment form is formed on the surface of the second part which faces the interior of the collection receptacle. Thus, the contact surface between the second part and the condensate in the collection receptacle is increased. Consequently, the frozen water in the collection receptacle is enabled to melt quickly.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the second embossment form has an oval cross-section. The second embossment form is positioned on the second part in the form of a semi-cylinder. By means of the oval cross-section of the second embossment form, the surface area of the second part is increased without having sharp corners.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the collection receptacle and the air duct are positioned side by side in the body. Thus, the amount of heat lost during the transfer of heat from the first part, heated in the air duct, to the second part is minimized. In other words, since the distance between the first part and the second part is short, a high rate of heat transfer from the first part to the second part is provided.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the thermal conduction member is grouped with the air duct and the collection receptacle by using the plastic injection method. Thus, the thermal conduction member is enabled to be securely fixed on the air duct and the collection receptacle.
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By means of the present invention, a laundry dryer is realized, wherein with the thermal conduction member which transfers the heat drawn from the air used during the drying process to the collection receptacle, the water in the collection receptacle is prevented from freezing or the frozen water in the collection receptacle is melted.
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The laundry dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
- Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the laundry dryer related to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the drying duct of the laundry dryer related to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the air duct and the collection receptacle of the laundry dryer related to another embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 4 - is the top view of the air duct and the collection receptacle of the laundry dryer related to another embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 5 - is the top view of the air duct and the collection receptacle of the laundry dryer related to another embodiment of the present invention.
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The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:
- 1. Laundry dryer
- 2. Body
- 3. Drum
- 4. Air duct
41. Duct side wall - 5. Evaporator
- 6. Collection receptacle
- 61. Receptacle base
- 62. Receptacle side wall
- 7. Heat exchanger
- 8. Thermal conduction member
- 81. First part
811. First embossment form - 82. Second part
821. Second embossment form
- 9. Fan
- 10. Air outlet
- X. Air flow direction
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The laundry dryer (1) comprises a body (2); a drum (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and which is configured to receive laundry to be dried; an air duct (4) through which the drying air is circulated during the drying process; an evaporator (5) which is disposed in the air duct (4) and which is configured to condense the moisture contained in the drying air; a collection receptacle (6) wherein the water condensed by the evaporator (5) is collected; and a heat exchanger (7) which is provided in the air duct (4) and which is configured to heat the drying air. By being passed over the wet laundry placed in the drum (3), the drying air contains moisture. The moisture in the drying air is condensed by the evaporator (5). The condensed water is transferred to the collection receptacle (6) by means of drainage channels. The water collected in the collection receptacle (6) is either discharged from the laundry dryer (1) or transferred to a water tank provided in the body (2) for storage, by means of a pump provided in the collection receptacle (6).
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The laundry dryer (1) of the present invention comprises at least one thermal conduction member (8) which has a first part (81) provided in the air duct (4) and a second part (82) provided in the collection receptacle (6) and which is at least partially manufactured from thermally conductive material so as to transfer at least part of the heat drawn from the hot air in the air duct (4) to the collection receptacle (6). The drying air passed through the air duct (4) is hot. The first part (81) of the thermal conduction member (8), which is disposed in the air duct (4), is heated by the drying air. The thermal conduction member (8) has a second part (82) disposed in the collection receptacle (6). The first part (81) and the second part (82) are connected to each other in thermal communication. Thus, at least part of the heat in the first part (81) is transferred to the second part (82). Consequently, the collection receptacle (6) is enabled to be heated. By heating the collection receptacle (6), the condensate collected in the collection receptacle (6) is prevented from freezing. If the laundry dryer (1) starts the drying process after the condensate accumulated in the collection receptacle (6) has frozen, the frozen condensate is melted by transmitting heat into the collection receptacle (6) by means of the thermal conduction member (8). Thus, the frozen condensate is prevented from disrupting the operation of the pump such that the economic life of the components of the laundry dryer (1) is extended. Moreover, the cracking or breaking of the collection receptacle (6) due to cold is also prevented.
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In an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises the first part (81) having a plate form and provided on a duct side wall (41) of the air duct (4). The air duct (4) comprises at least one duct side wall (41) which surrounds the opening allowing airflow therethrough. The first part (81) is disposed in the air duct (4) so as to extend parallel to the duct side wall (41). Thus, the first part (81) is prevented from reducing the air flow rate in the air duct (4).
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises the first part (81) which is disposed on the duct side wall (41) such that at least a portion thereof forms a right angle with an air flow direction (X) in the air duct (4). As shown in Figure 3, the air in the air duct (4) hits perpendicularly onto the first part (81). Thus, the first part (81) is enabled to be heated more rapidly.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises a fan (9) which is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger (7) in the air flow direction (X) in the air duct (4), and the first part (81) which is positioned between the fan (9) and the heat exchanger (7). As shown in Figure 2, the air is passed through the evaporator (5), the heat exchanger (7), and the fan (9) in sequence. Thus, the air passed over the first part (81) is enabled to be heated and dehumidified. Consequently, the first part (81) is enabled to be effectively heated, while condensation on the first part (81) is prevented.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises at least one first embossment form (811) which is provided on the surface of the first part (81) facing the air duct (4) and which increases the surface area of the first part (81). The first embossment form (811) is provided in the form of a protrusion or recess on the first part (81). The first embossment form (811) is in a three-dimensional structure. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of first embossment forms (811) are provided on the first part (81). Thus, the surface area of the first part (81) facing the air duct (4) is enabled to be increased by up to 30%. Consequently, the first part (81) is enabled to be rapidly heated by extracting more heat from the air duct (4).
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises the first embossment form (811) which is configured to direct the air in the air duct (4) toward the fan (9). The fan (9) is positioned in the vicinity of an air outlet (10) provided on the air duct (4). Thus, the first embossment form (811) directs the air flow in the air flow direction (X). Consequently, the air flow in the air duct (4) is supported.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises the first embossment form (811) having a triangular cross-section. The first embossment form (811) has a triangular cross-section so as to direct the hot air which hits the same at a right angle toward the fan (9). As shown in Figure 3, the first embossment form (811) which is three-dimensional has a semi-pyramidal shape. The first embossment form (811) has a rotated triangular cross-section so as to direct the air which hits the same toward the fan (9). Consequently, the air hitting the first embossment form (811) is enabled to be effectively directed toward the fan (9).
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises the collection receptacle (6) having a receptacle base (61) and at least one receptacle side wall (62) extending upward from the receptacle base (61) and at least partially surrounding the receptacle base (61). The receptacle base (61) and the receptacle side wall (62) are connected to each other in a leak-proof manner. Thus, the water in the collection receptacle (6) is prevented from leaking into the body (2).
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises the second part (82) which is provided on the receptacle base (61). The second part (82), heated by heat transfer from the heated first part (81), prevents the water in the collection receptacle (6) from freezing or enables the frozen water in the collection receptacle (6) to melt. The primary purpose of the second part (82) is to heat the condensate in the collection receptacle (6). The condensate remaining in the collection receptacle (6) is provided on the receptacle base (61). Thus, by positioning the second part (82) on the receptacle base (61), the second part (82) is enabled to directly contact the condensate in the collection receptacle (6) so as to heat the condensate.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises the second part (82) which is disposed on the receptacle side wall (62). Since the level of condensate in the collection receptacle (6) generally remains in the lower portions of the collection receptacle (6), the second part (82) is positioned in the lower portions of the receptacle side wall (62). Thus, the second part (82) is enabled to directly contact the condensate so as to heat the condensate.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises at least one second embossment form (821) which is provided on the surface of the second part (82) facing the collection receptacle (6) and which increases the surface area of the second part (82). The second embossment form (821) is provided in the form of a protrusion or recess on the second part (82). The second embossment form (821) is in a three-dimensional structure. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of second embossment forms (821) are provided on the second part (82). Thus, the surface area of the second part (82) facing the collection receptacle (6) is enabled to be increased by up to 30%. Consequently, the second part (82) is enabled to quickly heat the condensate in the collection receptacle (6).
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises a second embossment form (821) having an oval cross-section. In other words, the second embossment form (821) does not have sharp corners. Thus, the formation of cracks on the second embossment form (821) due to freezing of the water in the collection receptacle (6) is prevented.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises the collection receptacle (6) which is positioned so as to be adjacent to the air duct (4). The air duct (4) and the collection receptacle (6) are separated by a single wall. In other words, the duct side wall (41) and the receptacle side wall (62) are shared and are the same wall. One face of the wall faces the collection receptacle (6), while the other face faces the interior of the air duct (4). When the first part (81) is provided on the duct side wall (41) and the second part (82) is provided on the receptacle side wall (62), the thermal conduction member (8) becomes a U-shaped plate. Thus, the thermal conduction member (8) can be easily fixed to the plastic chassis. When the first part (81) is provided on the duct side wall (41) and the second part (82) is provided on the receptacle base (61), the thermal conduction member (8) becomes an L-shaped plate.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises the thermal conduction member (8) which is disposed on the air duct (4) and the collection receptacle (6) by means of the plastic injection method. Thus, during the production of the plastic lower chassis comprising the air duct (4) and the collection receptacle (6), the thermal conduction member (8) is enabled to be fixed to the air duct (4) and the collection receptacle (6). Consequently, when the first part (81) is provided on the duct side wall (41) and the second part (82) is provided on the receptacle base (61), the thermal conduction member (8) extends under the duct side wall (41) and reaches the receptacle base (61).
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By means of the present invention, a laundry dryer (1) is realized, wherein by using a thermal conduction member (8), having a first part (81) provided in the air duct (4) and a second part (82) provided in the collection receptacle (6), at least part of the heat drawn from the hot air in the air duct (4) is transferred to the collection receptacle (6) so as to prevent the water in the collection receptacle (6) from freezing.