RU2568076C2 - Washer-dryer with improved filtering - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: personal use articles.

SUBSTANCE: household washer-dryer for washing and drying clothes is described, equipped with improved air filtration means, access to which and inspection of which may be carried out at the front wall of the washer-dryer to facilitate routine maintenance, already familiar to the user.

EFFECT: simplified method for condensing the moisture, contained in the drying air for clothes, is described, in order to reduce or eliminate the water flow to reduce the content of such moisture.

14 cl, 5 dwg

Description

The present invention provides a household washer-dryer for laundry. More specifically, the present invention provides an improved apparatus for filtering air during drying of laundry.

Thus, the invention relates to household electrical appliances, in particular to household washing and drying machines.

As you know, washing and drying machines are washing machines equipped with an additional drying air circulation system, which begins to operate at the end of the washing, rinsing and spin cycles and provides complete and quick drying of the laundry.

1 schematically shows a washer-dryer known from the art.

On the front wall 1.1 of the washer-dryer there is a loading hole 1.2 for loading the laundry into the rotating drum 2, the cylindrical wall of which is provided with holes 2.1. Drum 2 is installed inside the tank 3. The outlet 4 located under the tank 3 delivers the drained water to the water filter 5, from where it enters the exhaust pipe 6, on which a bilge pump 7 is installed, which sucks water for supply to the U-shaped outlet 6.1.

A water filter 5 is necessary because during washing and spinning, the pile (also called “fluffs” or “fluff” and marked with the letter F) inevitably separates from the laundry, which quickly clogs the exhaust pipe 6 and pump 7. The water filter 5 can be easily removed from the front walls 1.1 for the purpose of simple periodic maintenance by the user.

The water filter 5 is placed or inserted into a generally cylindrical cartridge with a bayonet connection (or equivalent means, such as threaded caps, mechanical connections, etc.). As for the dryer, the air used in this process is heated by the heat generator 8.1 (burner or electrical resistance), and then enters the drum 2 through the upper holes 2.1, passes through the laundry, leaves the drum 2 through the lower holes 2.1 and enters the tank 3 that exits through the inlet 3.1. It has a suction channel 8.2, which extends up to the suction device 8.3. Accordingly, air enters the condenser 9, in which it is dried in various ways. In the illustrated example, the most commonly used means consisting of a water sprayer 9.1 is shown. Whatever condensation medium is used, condensed moisture (as well as water sprayed by an optional water sprayer 9.1) flows through a pipe 9.2 to drain the condensate into an exhaust pipe 6 located upstream of the drain pump 7. As for the dried air, it can be completely released into the environment through ventilation opening 9.3 (in this case, the air circulation system is open) or again enter the heat generator 8.1 in the example not illustrated in Fig. 1 (the air circulation system is mknutoy) or, finally, only partially used for recycling (a mixed system).

Since the heat generator 8.1 is located at the top of the washer-dryer, water is not able to reach it.

In order to save space, all the means that are located in the described drying device, which are located after the tank 3 in the direction of air flow, that is, the inlet 3.1, the suction channel 8.2, the suction device 8.3, the condenser 9, the condensate drain pipe 9.2, and finally the ventilation hole 9.3 are located in the rear of the washer-dryer, mainly in the back of the tank 3.

In particular, the inlet 3.1 is located in the lower part of the rear wall 3.2 of the tank 3, mainly diagonally opposite the air inlet to the tank; essentially, if it were at the bottom 3.3 of tank 3, it would always be flooded with water, forming a so-called hydraulic plug, which makes it difficult or impossible to pump out drying air, while it would be difficult to place it in the lower part of the front wall 3.4 of tank 3 occupied front loading hole 1.2.

Although most F fluffs accumulate in the water filter 5, they also separate during drying.

Accordingly, as the drying cycles are repeated, the guns F accumulate in the drying device after the tank 3. In particular, the guns F can clog the passage section of the suction channel 8.2 or accumulate on the suction device 8.3, reducing its effectiveness. The load losses of drying air due to the deposition of fluffs F also lead to a corresponding increase in energy consumption by the suction device 8.3, an increase in its noise level (this is not the last value for washing and drying machines designed for domestic use), and a decrease in the maximum possible performance, as well as the formation of turbulences of drying air that flows through the washer-dryer.

In addition, in the case of washing and drying machines with a closed or mixed air circulation system, the fluffs can light up when they come in contact with a heat generator.

In the so-called gas washer-dryer (see Fig. 1), in which the heat generator 8.1 is equipped with a 8.1 burner, the above-mentioned turbulence can lead to flame instability (in the case of a gas washer-dryer, it is more correct to call the mixture of air and burnt gases drying air; however, for convenience, throughout the description, the term “drying air” is used).

Fluffs F, sooner or later bypassing the suction device 8.3 through the condensate drain pipe 9.2, as well as being pushed out by the water spray 9.1, can also reach the exhaust pipe 6 and the sump pump 7 and clog it.

Since the technology does not provide for the use of filters on air channels, this clogging can only be eliminated by accessing the rear side of the washer-dryer, for which a technical assistance representative must move it from its place, remove the clogged components and clean them.

In short, although the water filter 5 allows ongoing maintenance (that is, by the user), due to the accumulation of fluffs F in the washer-dryer machines known from the art, emergency maintenance is also required periodically (i.e., a technical assistance service).

Another disadvantage is the excessive complexity of the means contained in the drying device after the tank 3, in particular the need for a pipe 9.2 to drain the condensate.

In addition, when cold tap water is used to reduce humidity (as in the case of spray guns 9.1), an additional drawback, which is well known and perceptible, is the additional water flow compared to the water flow required for washing.

Finally, when condensers 9.1 are not mentioned, it is known that their nozzles are easily clogged due to scale formation, especially in hard water or other impurities.

The only known means of overcoming the last two drawbacks is the use of a dehumidifier using a heat pump, which is a very effective but expensive solution.

The present invention is based on the task of overcoming at least part of the above disadvantages.

In particular, the main objective of the present invention is to provide a washer-dryer equipped with air filtration means with the possibility of access to it and its inspection from the front wall of the washer-dryer.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a washer-dryer in which the dryer meets stringent safety standards during laundry drying cycles.

One of the additional tasks of at least some varieties of the present invention is the creation of a washer-dryer, the dryer of which has a simplified design with a reduced number of components and less expensive from the point of view of production.

One of the additional tasks of at least some varieties of the present invention is the creation of a washer-dryer, in which the cleaning of the filtering means can be carried out by routine maintenance, familiar to the user.

One of the additional tasks of at least some varieties of the present invention is the creation of a simplified compared with the prior art means of condensation.

One of the additional tasks of at least some varieties of the present invention is the creation of a washer-dryer with a significantly reduced or eliminated water flow to reduce the humidity of the drying air.

The solution of these problems and the provision of other beneficial effects that will become clear is achieved by the device according to the attached claims.

The features of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of some preferred options for its implementation, described in the claims and illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 schematically shows a view in local section of a well-known from the technology of a washing and drying machine according to the first possible embodiment,

figure 2 schematically shows a view with a local section of a washer-dryer according to one of the varieties of the invention, in which the heat generator for heating the drying air is equipped with a gas burner,

figure 3 schematically shows a view with a local section of an electric washer-dryer according to another variant of the invention and illustrates an alternative heat generator equipped with electrical resistance,

figure 4 shows a view with a local section of one of the parts of the washer-dryer, illustrated in figure 2 and (or) 3,

figure 5 schematically shows a device for filtering air and water according to the general ideas of the invention.

Of course, the air filtration means should preferably be located immediately after the opening for discharging drying air from the tank 3, but in a position accessible to the user for inspection during routine maintenance, that is, it should be removable without having to move the washer-dryer from its place, as provided for in the case of a water filter 5 known from the art.

It was found that if the existing dryer layout in the washer-dryer is kept essentially unchanged, the dryer air filter cannot be placed along its channels in the position after tank 3, which is easily accessible for the user for the current maintenance of the filter.

On the other hand, such easy access can be provided, as explained in detail in the description, by using at least:

a nozzle used to pump out the filtered drying air from the bottom of the tank 3 and connected to an outlet pipe for washing and rinsing water for its removal,

suction channel, located after the air filter and mainly ascending in the direction of the drying air channel, to drain the water that may be in it, towards the outlet pipe for water for washing and rinsing.

As it becomes clear, these requirements are compatible with the position in which the water filter should be so that both of them (air and water filters) can be placed in one cartridge.

The features of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5. All components of the washer-dryer 1 according to the invention, common with the components of the washer-dryer known in the art shown in FIG. 1, are denoted by the same reference numbers and mentioned below only each time if necessary. The drawings do not show some components of the washer-dryer 1, such as a means for supplying and heating water for washing, a “drive unit with an engine” or a means for suspending the tank 3, since they are conventional in themselves.

In accordance with the ideas of the invention, in the most general form, the drying air is pumped out from the bottom 3.3 of the tank 3 through the nozzle 4.a after from the same bottom 3.3. washing and rinsing water was pumped through the nozzle 4.h (see FIG. 5).

Such evacuation can mainly, but not necessarily, be carried out through a common outlet 4 for water and drying air, and hereinafter, everywhere we are talking about such a basic variety.

As is known from the prior art, after the outlet pipe 4, the corresponding walls 15.h direct water through the water filter 11, which is lower than the bottom of the tank 3.3, after which it reaches the outlet pipe 6, the sump pump 7 and, finally, the U-shaped outlet pipe 6.1.

As is also known from the prior art, at the end of any water drain cycle, part of it is intentionally left in the exhaust pipe 6 and (or) the sump pump 7 and, optionally, to such a level 16 that a hydraulic plug is formed to prevent the spread of odor from the U-shaped outlet devices 6.1.

As for the drying air, it is sucked in by the suction device 8.3, which may be similar to the known device, and after passing through the drum 2, mainly, as is known from the prior art, it reaches the exhaust pipe 4 leading from the heat generator 8.1.

After the passage of air through the exhaust pipe 4, the corresponding walls 15.a direct it through the air filter 12, in the upper part of which it then enters the suction channel 14 without return slopes, that is, ascending mainly in the direction of the drying air channel, during or at the end of which he reaches the suction device 8.3.

As is known from the prior art, the evacuated drying air can be completely removed (as shown in the drawings) or completely or partially recycled (not shown).

As for the means of condensation and discharge of water condensed by drying air, they depend on the possible varieties described below.

Water that is present in the suction channel 14 or is formed by condensation of moisture in the drying air, or is also introduced by a special condensation means 17 (see, for example, FIG. 3), is discharged towards the exhaust pipe 6, since the suction channel 14 is located above the air filter 12 and has no reverse ramps, and after the water passes the air filter 12, then the corresponding walls 15 direct it into the exhaust pipe 6.

Since the exhaust pipe 4, the air filter 12 and, therefore, also the suction channel 14 are located quite high relative to the aforementioned level 16, at least partially free air flow is provided during each active drying cycle, i.e. without hydraulic plugs.

On the other hand, the hydraulic plug formed by level 16 in the exhaust pipe 6 and (or) the sump pump 7 and optionally before it does not allow the suction device 8.3 to suck in the spoiled air from the U-shaped exhaust pipe 6.1.

It was shown above how a channel 4.a / 4, 15.a, 14 can be created to remove drying air from the bottom 3.3 of tank 3, and not from its rear wall 3.2. As a result, it is now possible to mark the air filter in a position in which it can be accessed from the front wall 1.1 of the washer-dryer 1 and can be removed for routine maintenance by the user.

The direct result of the presence of the air filter 12 is that the guns F do not reach the air evacuation means located after it, in particular the guns F cannot return to the heat generator 8.1 and create a fire hazard, and also cause flame instability when the heat generator 8.1 is a burner 8.1 .

As for the moisture condensation means 17 of the drying air, in one embodiment, it can be placed along the suction channel 14 (see, for example, FIG. 3), from where, as shown, the condensate flows by gravity into the exhaust pipe 6, and in this case more no 9.2 pipe required for condensate drainage.

However, in one of the possible embodiments of the wall 15.a, drying air is pumped out of the outlet 4 and it covers the surface of the standing water at the mentioned level 16. Since drying occurs at the end of the washing process, which in turn always ends with rinsing in cold water, the surface of standing water at level 16 is always cold and thus at least partially able to condense the moisture contained in the drying air, provided that the contact surface is large enough .

Due to this, it is possible to completely eliminate the flow of water necessary for condensation of moisture according to the prior art, if the surface to be covered is large enough.

According to another embodiment, the drying process starts because the drying air closes said water surface at said level 16 and ends with a condensation means 17 located along the suction channel 14, as a result of which the water drainage rate is at least significantly reduced.

It was found that satisfactory results are already achieved with a surface area of 16 cm ² .

The air filter 12 is preferably positioned so that its long axis extends horizontally.

The air filter 12 is preferably equipped with a screen of the same type as that used in the known water filters 5.

The water filter 11 is also preferably positioned so that its long axis extends horizontally. The water filter 11 is also preferably equipped with a screen of the same type as that used in the known water filters 5.

Both the air filter 12 and the water filter 11 are preferably placed in one cartridge 18, similar to the cartridge used in the water filters 5 known in the art, which can be removed by the user for routine maintenance purposes.

If the moisture condensation of the drying air is at least partially provided on the surface of the standing water at the aforementioned level 16, the cartridge 18 when in the working position has:

predominantly horizontal long axis,

an air filter 12 located above the water filter 11,

a water filter 11 at least partially submerged below the level 16 of standing water. Essentially, these are the conditions under which drying air freely covers the surface of stagnant water.

The water filter 11 and the air filter 12 in the cartridge 18 are preferably elements of a single filter 11/12, which is part of the cylindrical walls of the cartridge 18 itself.

Finally, cartridge 18 can be a single cylindrical cartridge, access to which can be accessed from the front wall 1.1 of the washer-dryer 1 for routine maintenance and which provides double filtration of washing water and drying air pumped out of tank 3 and into the cartridge 18 through the exhaust pipe 4, due to:

a water filter 11 located at the bottom of the cartridge 18 on the exhaust pipe 6 of water for washing and rinsing,

air filter 12 located in the upper part of the same cartridge 18 on the suction channel 14.

In conclusion, it should be noted that in accordance with the ideas of the invention, it is important where the cartridge 18 is located and to which channel it is connected. This is an additional advantage, since the present invention contemplates the adaptation of washer-dryer machines known from the prior art, which is inexpensive and does not lead to a change in either their appearance or routine maintenance familiar to the user.

Claims (14)

1. Washer-dryer (1) for washing and drying clothes, containing a rotating drum (2), placed in the tank (3),
while drying is carried out by drying air, and the drying process occurs by means of a drying device containing a heat generator (8.1), a suction channel (8.2; 14) and a suction device (8.3),
and in this case, water for washing and rinsing is discharged from the bottom (3.3) of the tank (3) through the pipe (4.h; 4), flows through the water filter (11), the exhaust pipe (6), the sump pump (7), and finally , U-shaped exhaust pipe (6.1),
characterized in that:
contains means (4.a, 15.a, 12, 14, 8.3; 4, 15.a, 12, 14, 8.3) for supplying and filtering drying air containing
outlet pipe (4.a; 4) for draining from the bottom (3.3) of the tank (3),
guide walls (15.a) extending towards the air filter (12),
predominantly ascending suction channel (14) located above the air filter (12),
suction device (8.3),
while the exhaust pipe (4.a, 4) and the air filter (12) are located higher than the standing water (16) in the exhaust pipe (6), in such a position as to ensure at least partially free flow of drying air through the exhaust pipe (4.a; 4) and an air filter (12), and the level height (16) is such that a hydraulic plug forms between the suction device (8.3) and the U-shaped exhaust pipe (6.1). 2. Washing and drying machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises means (14, 15.h, 15) for supplying water, which can enter the suction channel (14), comprising:
the suction channel itself (14),
guide walls (15.a) extending towards the air filter (12),
guide walls (15.h, 15) extending towards the pipe (6) to drain the wash and rinse water. 3. The washer-dryer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air filter (12) is in a position accessible to the user for routine maintenance. 4. The washer-dryer (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the position accessible to the user is on the front wall (1.1) of the washer-dryer (1). 5. The washer-dryer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the walls (15.a) also direct the air so that it overlaps the surface of the standing water at level (16). 6. Washing and drying machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the surface of the standing water at the level of (16) has an area of at least 16 cm ² . 7. Washing and drying machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air filter (12) in the working position has a predominantly horizontal long axis. 8. The washer-dryer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air filter (12) is equipped with a mesh of the same type that is used in known water filters (5). 9. Washing and drying machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet pipes (4.h) and (4.a) for water and air consist of a single outlet pipe (4). 10. The washer-dryer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air and water filters (12) and (11) are placed in a single cartridge (18), which can be removed by the user for routine maintenance. 11. Washing and drying machine (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the air and water filters (12) and (11) are elements of a single filter (11/12), which in turn is part of the cylindrical walls of the cartridge (18 ) 12. Washing and drying machine (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the cartridge (18) in the working position has:
predominantly horizontal long axis,
an air filter (12) located above the water filter (11),
however, the water filter (11) is at least partially submerged below the level (16) of standing water, as a result of which the drying air can freely overlap said water level (16). 13. The washer-dryer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that means (17) for condensing the moisture of the drying air are located along the suction channel (14). 14. The method of condensation of moisture contained in the drying air of the washing-drying machine (1) according to any preceding paragraph, characterized in that it includes a stage in which air is allowed to overlap the surface of cold standing water at a level (16), while it is optional for this stage additional condensation processes follow.

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