GB2261060A

GB2261060A - Laundry drier

Info

Publication number: GB2261060A
Application number: GB9222702A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dietrich Berner; Ulrich Grotz
Original assignee: Whirlpool Europe BV
Current assignee: Whirlpool Europe BV
Priority date: 1991-10-31
Filing date: 1992-10-29
Publication date: 1993-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2012-10-29
Also published as: GB9222702D0; GB2261060B; DE4135845A1

Abstract

A front-loading tumble drier has a closed drying air circuit (13), which conveys drying air via a drying drum (10) and a heat exchanger (14). The heat exchanger (10) is arranged in a region of the dry air circuit (13) which is directed obliquely downwardly and to the rear from the filling opening (11). Thereby, the heat exchanger (14) can be installed and removed in a very simple manner for cleaning purposes. <IMAGE>

Description

-1 2 1) 1.3153 4 WASHING DRIER The invention relates to a laundry or

washing drier, the drier having a closed dry air path or circuit, by means of which drying air is guided or conveyed through a washing drum and a heat exchanger. The circuit extends from the filling opening of the washing drum into the lower region of the washing drier, and from there back again to the washing drum.

Such a washing drier is known, for example, from DE-OS 30 27 900. In this known type of construction. the heat exchanger is located beneath the washing drum, and may be removed, for cleaning purposes, via a special opening in the front face of the washing drier. The dry air duct in the known type of construction runs from the filling opening, vertically downwards in the direction of the heat exchanger.

From DE-OS 39 04 988. a further type of construction is known for a washing drier, in which the heat exchanger is arranged inside the door in the front face, which closes the filling opening of the washing drier. In this type of construction, the concern is to achieve the smallest possible exterior dimensions in relation to the interior of the washing drier, in order to obtain a construction which is as compact as possible. Also. because the heat exchanger is arranged inside the door. the concern is to make possible the simple removal of the heat exchanger for cleaning purposes. This type of construction additionally requires a specific design of door, in particular with regard to its bearing strength.

The invention is based on the problem of making the mounting and dismantling of the heat exchanger for cleaning purposes as simple as possible.

This is achieved, according to the invention, by providing a washing drier in which the heat exchanger is inserted in the downwardly-directed part of the dry air circuit which is accessible from the filling opening.

Thereby, a special flap on the front of the washing drier is unnecessary. The type of construction embodying the invention is suited to washing driers having small doors, or large doors, or portholes. To clean the heat exchanger, the door of the filling opening simply has to be opened, in order to enable removal of the heat exchanger and, after it has been cleaned, in order to re-insert it. The extent to which the heat exchanger is soiled can be seem immediately after the door has been opened.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the part of the dry air circuit which receives the heat exchanger is directed obliquely downward and obliquely toward the rear, starting from the filling opening. This embodiment facilitates the insertion and removal of the heat exchanger.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the dry air circuit is guided from the lower region of the washing drier in a simple manner into the rear side of the washing drum. Additionally, or alternatively, drying air could be introduced again from the front.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a side view. partially broken away, of a washing drier embodying the invention, with a heat exchanger operatively installed; and Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same washing drier, with the heat exchanger removed.

A front-loading drier for drying washing, laundry or the like contains a drum 10 for receiving the washing to be dried. The drier has a filling opening 11 in its front face, which may be closed by a front door 12. A duct or circuit 13 for dry or drying air runs from the filling opening 11 into the region beneath the washing drum 10, and from there (not shown) into the rear of the washing drum 10. In the region 13a of the dry air circuit, leading from the filling opening 11, a heat exchanger 14 is inserted so that it will be accessible from the filling opening 11 when the door 12 is opened. In Fig. 1, the heat exchanger 14 is shown in its operating position with the door 12 closed. In Fig. 2 the heat exchanger is shown after removal from the region 13a in the direction of the arrow 15, after the door 12 has been opened.

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Claims

A washing drier having a closed drying air circuit for conveying air through a washing drum and a heat exchanger, the drying air circuit extending from a filling opening of the washing drum into a lower region of the washing drier and from there back to the washing drum, the heat exchanger being inserted in a downwardly-directed part of the drying air circuit, which is accessible from the filling opening.
2. A washing drier according to claim 1, wherein the part of the drying air circuit which receives the heat exchanger is directed obliquely downwards and towards the rear from the filling opening.
3. A washing drier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drying air circuit extends from the lower region of the washing drier into the rear of the washing drum.
4. A washing drier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.