US20180094379A1 - Laundry treatment apparatus - Google Patents
Laundry treatment apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- US20180094379A1 US20180094379A1 US15/573,289 US201615573289A US2018094379A1 US 20180094379 A1 US20180094379 A1 US 20180094379A1 US 201615573289 A US201615573289 A US 201615573289A US 2018094379 A1 US2018094379 A1 US 2018094379A1
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- Prior art keywords
- flow channel
- heat
- flowing air
- branch
- treatment apparatus
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/26—Heating arrangements, e.g. gas heating equipment
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/206—Heat pump arrangements
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B21/00—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
- F25B21/02—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/02—Domestic laundry dryers having dryer drums rotating about a horizontal axis
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2321/00—Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
- F25B2321/02—Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effects; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effects
- F25B2321/025—Removal of heat
- F25B2321/0251—Removal of heat by a gas
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus.
- a laundry treatment apparatus refers to an apparatus that treats laundry by applying physical and chemical actions to laundry.
- the laundry treatment apparatus may include a washing machine, which removes contaminants adhered to laundry, a dewatering machine, which dewaters laundry by rotating a wash tub, containing laundry therein, at a high speed, and a drying machine, which dries wet laundry by supplying cold air or hot air into a wash tub.
- a washing apparatus with drying function which is adapted to perform washing and drying operations of laundry may be categorized as the laundry treatment apparatus.
- a laundry treatment apparatus which is able to dry laundry, generally heats air using an electric heater, and forcibly blow the heated air into a chamber into which clothes have been introduced.
- a laundry treatment apparatus which incorporates a condensation drying system therein, is provided with a condenser for removing moisture from humid air that has passed through the chamber. In this case, the air that has passed through the condenser is heated by a heater.
- the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry treatment apparatus which incorporates a thermoelectric heat pump device therein.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of reducing the amount of energy required for a drying process by incorporating a thermoelectric heat pump device as well as a heater.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of more efficiently removing moisture from circulating air.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus which has improved clothes drying performance.
- Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus in which the efficiency of heat radiation of a thermoelectric heat pump device is improved.
- a laundry treatment apparatus including a treatment chamber for containing clothes therein, a circulation flow channel for guiding flowing air so as to circulate the flowing air through the treatment chamber, a blower disposed in the circulation flow channel so as to forcibly blow the air, a heater for heating the air before the air is supplied into the treatment chamber, and a thermoelectric heat pump device for exchanging heat with the air before the air is heated by the heater, wherein the circulation flow channel includes a first branch flow channel and a second branch flow channel, which are connected to each other in parallel so as to divide the flowing air into a first flowing air branch and a second flowing air branch, and which guide the first flowing air branch and the second flowing air branch, respectively, wherein the laundry treatment apparatus further comprises a condenser disposed in the first branch flow channel so as to condense moisture contained in the first flowing air branch, wherein the thermoelectric heat pump device includes a heat radiation part disposed in the first branch flow channel so as to
- a laundry treatment apparatus including a treatment chamber for containing clothes therein, a circulation flow channel for guiding flowing air so as to circulate the flowing air through the treatment chamber, a blower disposed in the circulation flow channel so as to forcibly blow the air, a condenser for condensing moisture contained in flowing air discharged from the chamber, a heater for heating the flowing air before the flowing air is supplied into the treatment chamber, and a thermoelectric heat pump device for transferring heat from a heat absorption part to a heat radiation part, wherein the circulation flow channel includes a first branch flow channel and a second branch flow channel, which are connected to each other in parallel, so as to divide the flowing at an upstream side about the condenser and to guide the divided flowing airs, separately, wherein the condenser is disposed in the first branch flow channel, wherein the heat radiation part exchanges heat with flowing air guided through the first branch flow channel, wherein the heat absorption part exchanges heat with flowing air guided through the second branch
- the thermoelectric pump unit may include a Peltier element, and a heat radiation surface and a heat absorption surface, which are disposed on respective sides of the Peltier element, wherein the heat radiation part receives heat from the heat radiation surface, and the heat absorption part transfers heat to the heat absorption surface. At least one of the heat radiation part and the heat absorption part may include thermal conductive ribs.
- the laundry treatment apparatus may include a refrigerant heat pump constituted by the condenser.
- the laundry treatment apparatus uses not only a heater but also a thermoelectric heat pump device in order to heat circulating air, and thus offers an effect of reducing the amount of energy required in a drying process compared to the case in which only a heater is used.
- thermoelectric heat pump device In addition, the efficiency of heat radiation of a thermoelectric heat pump device is improved.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a cross-section of a thermoelectric heat pump device
- FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a washing apparatus with drying function according to another embodiment of the present invention.
- a laundry treatment apparatus which is an appliance having a function of drying laundry, may include a drying apparatus la for performing an exclusive operation of drying clothes (see FIG. 1 ), a washing apparatus 1 b with drying function for performing both washing and drying operations (see FIG. 3 ) and the like.
- FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a thermoelectric heat pump device.
- the drying apparatus la includes a treatment chamber 2 for containing clothes, a circulation flow channel 20 for guiding flowing air for circulation through the treatment chamber 2 , a blower 7 mounted in the circulation flow channel 20 so as to forcibly blow the air, a heater 10 for heating the air prior to introduction thereof into the treatment chamber 2 , and a thermoelectric heat pump device 30 for exchanging heat with the flowing air before the air is heated by the heater 10 .
- the treatment chamber 2 may be configured to have a drum shape, which is open at the front and rear surfaces thereof, so as to contain therein objects to be dried, such as clothes, and may be configured to be rotated about a horizontal rotating axis o.
- the treatment chamber 2 may be inclined such that the open front surface, through which clothes are introduced into the treatment chamber 2 , is positioned higher than the rear surface.
- the rotating axis O may be inclined with respect to a horizontal line.
- the treatment chamber 2 may be provided therein with a plurality of lifters, which protrude at predetermined intervals from the inner surface thereof and extend longitudinally, such that clothes contained in the treatment chamber 2 are lifted to a predetermined height by the lifters and are then allowed to drop.
- the treatment chamber 2 may receive the rotating force from the motor 8 via a belt 5 wound around the outer circumferential surface thereof.
- the front and rear ends of the treatment chamber 2 may be rotatably supported by a front support 3 and a rear support 4 , respectively.
- the front support 3 and/or the rear support 4 may include a roller (not shown), which rolls in the state of being in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the treatment chamber 2 .
- the front support 3 may be provided with an introduction port, through which clothes are put into or taken out of the treatment chamber 2 .
- the introduction portion may be opened or closed by a door 9 .
- the front support 3 may be coupled to one end of the circulation flow channel 20 , and may be provided with an air discharge port for allowing the treatment chamber 3 to communicate with the circulation flow channel 20 .
- the air discharge port may be provided with a filter 6 for collecting contaminants such as dust, lint or the like, which are contained in the air discharged through the air discharge port from the treatment chamber 2 .
- the filter 6 may be detachably coupled to the front support 3 or the circulation flow channel 20 .
- the other end of the circulation flow channel 20 may be connected to the rear support 4 .
- the rear support 4 may be provided with an air supply port, which enables the treatment chamber 2 to communicate with the circulation flow channel 20 so as to allow air to be supplied into the treatment chamber 2 through the circulation flow channel 20 .
- the circulation flow channel 20 serves as a flow channel for guiding air discharged from the treatment chamber 2 outside the treatment chamber 2 .
- the circulation flow channel 20 includes the section between the air discharge port in the front support 3 and the air supply port in the rear support 4 .
- the flowing air which is transferred through the circulation flow channel 20 , may be generated by rotation of the blower 7 .
- the blower 7 is rotated by the motor 8 , which is also utilized to rotate the belt 50 .
- the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and an additional motor may further be provided.
- the circulation flow channel 20 may include a first branch flow channel 22 and a second branch flow channel 23 , which are connected to each other in parallel.
- the circulation flow channel 20 may diverge into the first branch flow channel 22 and the second branch flow channel 23 from a portion, which is positioned upstream of the condenser 41 .
- the flowing air, which is transferred through the circulation flow channel 20 is divided into a first flowing air branch 1 and a second flowing air branch F 2 , which are respectively transferred through the first branch flow channel 22 and the second branch flow channel 23 .
- the first branch flow channel 22 may be provided with the condenser 41 for condensing the moisture contained in the first flowing air branch Fl.
- the condenser 41 may constitute a refrigerant heat pump 40 .
- the refrigerant heat pump 40 constitutes a refrigerant circulation cycle, which performs compression, expansion, evaporation and condensation of refrigerant injected into a closed flow channel, so as to exchange heat between the refrigerant and surrounding medium (for example, the first flowing air branch F 1 ).
- the drying apparatus may include a compressor 42 for compressing the refrigerant, an expansion valve (not shown) for expanding the refrigerant, which has been compressed by the compressor 42 , an evaporation heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant, which has been expanded by the expansion valve and surrounding medium (e.g. air), so as to evaporate the refrigerant, a condensation heat exchanger for further exchanging heat between the refrigerant, which has been evaporated while passing through the evaporator and low-temperature surrounding medium, so as to condense the refrigerant, and the like.
- the condenser 41 which includes by an evaporator constituting the heat pump 40 , serves to contact flowing airing in the first branch flow channel 22 so as to condense moisture contained in the first flowing air branch F 1 .
- a water-cooling condenser of an air-cooling condenser may be provided.
- cold water may be supplied into the first branch flow channel 22 .
- high-temperature and high-humidity air contacts the cold water, thereby being condensed.
- the air-cooling condenser may include a cooling fan (not shown), which is disposed outside the circulation flow channel 20 so as to cool the first branch flow channel 22 .
- a cooling fan (not shown), which is disposed outside the circulation flow channel 20 so as to cool the first branch flow channel 22 .
- the first flowing air branch F 1 is cooled by the cooling fan, and moisture contained in the first flowing air 1 is thus condensed.
- a separator 12 which discharges, the condensed water collected in the first branch flow channel 22 , to the outside, may be provided.
- the separator 12 may be disposed at an appropriate position on the first branch flow channel 22 , at which condensed water is collected.
- the separator 12 may preferably include a check valve, which opens the flow channel only during the discharge of condensed water and maintains the flow channel in the closed state when condensed water is not being discharged, so as to allow discharge of condensed water while preventing the leakage of air.
- the thermoelectric heat pump device 30 may include a heat radiation part 32 , which is disposed in the first branch flow channel 22 so as to heat at least a part of the first flowing air branch F 1 , which has passed through the condenser 41 , a heat absorption part 33 , which is disposed in the second branch flow channel 23 so as to cool at least a part of the second flowing air branch F 2 , and a thermoelectric pump unit 31 for transferring heat from the heat absorption part 33 to the heat radiation part 32 .
- thermoelectric pump unit 31 is a device adapted to transfer heat, which is generated from one of two surfaces thereof having different temperatures, to the other surface using a thermoelectric effect. Since this principle is well known in the art, a description thereof is omitted herein.
- the thermoelectric pump unit 31 may include a Peltier element, and a heat radiation surface 31 b and a heat absorption surface 31 c, which are disposed on two surfaces of the Peltier element.
- a plurality of Peltier elements are stacked on a printed circuit board (PCB).
- At least one of the heat radiation part 32 and the heat absorption part 33 may include a thermal conductive rib 35 .
- the thermal conductive rib 35 which is intended to increase the surface area contributing to heat radiation or heat absorption, may include a plurality of thermal conductive ribs 35 .
- the heat radiation part 32 may include a first thermal conductive plate 32 a, a first surface of which faces the heat radiation surface 31 b.
- the first thermal conductive plate 32 a may be provided on a second surface opposite to the first surface thereof with a plurality of ribs 35 , which are disposed at predetermined intervals and extend in the direction of air flow.
- the heat absorption part 33 may include a second thermal conductive plate 33 a, a first surface of which faces the heat absorption surface 31 c.
- the ribs 35 are configured to have substantially the same structure, and are provided on the heat absorption part 33 and the heat radiation part 32 .
- the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first and second thermal conductive plates 32 a and 33 a or the ribs 35 may be configured to have appropriate shapes depending on the shape of the first branch flow channel 22 and/or the second branch flow channel 23 .
- the ribs 35 constitute the heat absorption part 33 , if a distance between the ribs 35 is expensively small, condensed water cannot efficiently flow along the surfaces of the ribs 35 , and may block the flow of air passing through the gaps between the ribs 35 . Accordingly, it is preferable to set an appropriate distance between the ribs 35 .
- the circulation flow channel 20 may further include a converging flow channel 24 , in which the first branch flow channel 22 and the second branch flow channel 23 are joined each other such that the first flowing air branch F 1 , which has passed through the heat radiation part 32 , and the second flowing air branch F 2 , which has passed through the heat absorption part 33 , meet each other and such that the mixed flowing air is guided to the heater 10 .
- the converging flow channel 24 may be provided with the heater 10 .
- the heater 10 which generates heat due to electric resistance, may be constituted by a sheath heater, a coil heater or the like.
- the first flowing air branch F 1 which is discharged from the first branch flow channel 22
- the second flowing air branch F 2 which is discharged from the second branch flow channel 23
- FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a washing apparatus 1 b with drying function for performing both washing and drying operations according to another embodiment of the present invention.
- the components that are identical to those of the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the previous embodiment is to be incorporated in place of providing the description of such components.
- the washing apparatus 1 b includes a tub 13 , which is disposed in a casing (not shown) defining the appearance of washing apparatus 1 b so as to contain washing water therein, and a treatment chamber or rotatable drum 2 disposed in the tub 13 .
- the chamber 2 may be provided therethrough with a plurality of through holes 2 a so as to allow washing water to be circulated between the tub 13 and the treatment chamber 2 .
- the washing apparatus 1 b may include a water supply unit 14 for supplying washing water into the tub 13 through a water supply flow channel 15 , a water discharge flow channel 16 for discharging washing water from the tub 13 , and a water discharge pump 17 disposed in the water discharge flow channel 16 . Since the water supply flow channel 15 , the water supply unit 14 , the water discharge flow channel 16 and the water discharge pump 17 are well known to those in the art, descriptions thereof are omitted.
- the tub 13 may be provided with an air discharge port, through which air is discharged into the circulation flow channel 20 , and an air supply port, through which air is introduced from the circulation flow channel 20 .
- the tub 13 includes a fixed cylindrical drum part 13 a and a rear wall part 13 b for closing the rear end of the drum part 13 a.
- the air discharge port is formed in a lower portion of the rear wall part 13 b, and the air supply port is formed in an upper portion of the drum part 13 a.
- blower 7 is provided in the converging flow channel 24 in this embodiment, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.
- a drying duct which is intended to supply air, heated by the heater 10 , into the tub 13 , is disposed behind the tub 13 .
- This embodiment is provided with the first branch flow channel 22 and the second branch flow channel 23 by changing the structure of a conventional drying duct.
- air which is discharged from the treatment chamber 2 , contains a large amount of moisture, which is absorbed from clothes. Since a portion of the humid air (i.e. the first flowing air branch F 1 ) is introduced into the first branch flow channel 22 , and moisture contained in the air is thus condensed by the condenser 41 , the remaining portion of the air (i.e. the second flowing air branch F 2 ), which is introduced into the second branch flow channel 23 , has a relatively high humidity compared to the first flowing air branch F 1 , and thus has higher heat capacity than the first flowing air branch F 1 .
- thermoelectric pump unit 31 there is an effect of increasing the amount of heat energy transferred from the heat absorption part 33 to the heat radiation part 32 by virtue of the thermoelectric pump unit 31 . Furthermore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of heat radiation of the heat radiation part 32 by reducing the temperature difference between the heat absorption part 33 and the heat radiation part 32 .
- the efficiency of heat radiation may be maximized by appropriately controlling the ratio of the surface area at which the heat absorption part 33 contacts air to the surface area at which the heat radiation part 32 contacts air.
- the laundry treatment apparatus since not only the heater 10 but also the heat radiation part 32 serves to heat air supplied into the treatment chamber 2 , the laundry treatment apparatus can be operated using a heater 10 having a heat capacity that is reduced by an amount corresponding to the heat capacity supplied from the heat radiation part 32 .
- the efficiency of the thermoelectric heat pump device 30 is superior to the heater 10 , which generates heat based on electric resistance, there is an advantage of improving the overall energy efficiency of the drying system.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus.
- Generally, a laundry treatment apparatus refers to an apparatus that treats laundry by applying physical and chemical actions to laundry. For example, the laundry treatment apparatus may include a washing machine, which removes contaminants adhered to laundry, a dewatering machine, which dewaters laundry by rotating a wash tub, containing laundry therein, at a high speed, and a drying machine, which dries wet laundry by supplying cold air or hot air into a wash tub. A washing apparatus with drying function, which is adapted to perform washing and drying operations of laundry may be categorized as the laundry treatment apparatus.
- In particular, a laundry treatment apparatus, which is able to dry laundry, generally heats air using an electric heater, and forcibly blow the heated air into a chamber into which clothes have been introduced. A laundry treatment apparatus, which incorporates a condensation drying system therein, is provided with a condenser for removing moisture from humid air that has passed through the chamber. In this case, the air that has passed through the condenser is heated by a heater.
- However, since an electric heater generally consumes a large amount of electric power, and the energy efficiency thereof is not so high, there is a problem in that a user is reluctant to use the drying function of a laundry treatment apparatus.
- Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry treatment apparatus which incorporates a thermoelectric heat pump device therein.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of reducing the amount of energy required for a drying process by incorporating a thermoelectric heat pump device as well as a heater.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of more efficiently removing moisture from circulating air.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus which has improved clothes drying performance.
- Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus in which the efficiency of heat radiation of a thermoelectric heat pump device is improved.
- In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a laundry treatment apparatus including a treatment chamber for containing clothes therein, a circulation flow channel for guiding flowing air so as to circulate the flowing air through the treatment chamber, a blower disposed in the circulation flow channel so as to forcibly blow the air, a heater for heating the air before the air is supplied into the treatment chamber, and a thermoelectric heat pump device for exchanging heat with the air before the air is heated by the heater, wherein the circulation flow channel includes a first branch flow channel and a second branch flow channel, which are connected to each other in parallel so as to divide the flowing air into a first flowing air branch and a second flowing air branch, and which guide the first flowing air branch and the second flowing air branch, respectively, wherein the laundry treatment apparatus further comprises a condenser disposed in the first branch flow channel so as to condense moisture contained in the first flowing air branch, wherein the thermoelectric heat pump device includes a heat radiation part disposed in the first branch flow channel so as to heat the first flowing air branch, which has passed through the condenser, a heat absorption part disposed in the second branch flow channel so as to cool the second flowing air branch, and a thermoelectric pump unit for transferring heat to the heat absorption part to the heat radiation part, and wherein the circulation flow channel further includes a converging flow channel in which the first branch flow channel and the second branch flow channel are joined with each other such that the first flowing air branch, having passed through the heat radiation part, and the second flowing air branch, having passed through the heat absorption part, meet each other and the mixed flowing air is guided toward the heater.
- In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laundry treatment apparatus including a treatment chamber for containing clothes therein, a circulation flow channel for guiding flowing air so as to circulate the flowing air through the treatment chamber, a blower disposed in the circulation flow channel so as to forcibly blow the air, a condenser for condensing moisture contained in flowing air discharged from the chamber, a heater for heating the flowing air before the flowing air is supplied into the treatment chamber, and a thermoelectric heat pump device for transferring heat from a heat absorption part to a heat radiation part, wherein the circulation flow channel includes a first branch flow channel and a second branch flow channel, which are connected to each other in parallel, so as to divide the flowing at an upstream side about the condenser and to guide the divided flowing airs, separately, wherein the condenser is disposed in the first branch flow channel, wherein the heat radiation part exchanges heat with flowing air guided through the first branch flow channel, wherein the heat absorption part exchanges heat with flowing air guided through the second branch flow channel, and wherein the first branch flow channel and the second branch flow channel are joined with each other at an upstream side about the heater.
- The thermoelectric pump unit may include a Peltier element, and a heat radiation surface and a heat absorption surface, which are disposed on respective sides of the Peltier element, wherein the heat radiation part receives heat from the heat radiation surface, and the heat absorption part transfers heat to the heat absorption surface. At least one of the heat radiation part and the heat absorption part may include thermal conductive ribs.
- The laundry treatment apparatus may include a refrigerant heat pump constituted by the condenser.
- The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention uses not only a heater but also a thermoelectric heat pump device in order to heat circulating air, and thus offers an effect of reducing the amount of energy required in a drying process compared to the case in which only a heater is used.
- Furthermore, it is possible to more efficiently remove moisture from circulating air compared to the case in which only a condenser is used. Consequently, the performance of drying clothes is improved.
- In addition, the efficiency of heat radiation of a thermoelectric heat pump device is improved.
- The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a cross-section of a thermoelectric heat pump device; and -
FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a washing apparatus with drying function according to another embodiment of the present invention. - The advantages, features and methods for achieving those of embodiments may become apparent upon referring to embodiments described later in detail together with the attached drawings. However, the embodiments are not limited to the embodiments disclosed hereinafter, but may be embodied in different modes. The embodiments are provided for completeness of disclosure and to inform the scope thereof to persons skilled in this field of art. The same reference numbers may refer to the same elements throughout the specification.
- A laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention, which is an appliance having a function of drying laundry, may include a drying apparatus la for performing an exclusive operation of drying clothes (see
FIG. 1 ), awashing apparatus 1 b with drying function for performing both washing and drying operations (seeFIG. 3 ) and the like. -
FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a thermoelectric heat pump device. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2 , the drying apparatus la according to the embodiment of the present invention includes atreatment chamber 2 for containing clothes, acirculation flow channel 20 for guiding flowing air for circulation through thetreatment chamber 2, ablower 7 mounted in thecirculation flow channel 20 so as to forcibly blow the air, aheater 10 for heating the air prior to introduction thereof into thetreatment chamber 2, and a thermoelectricheat pump device 30 for exchanging heat with the flowing air before the air is heated by theheater 10. - In a casing (not show) defining the appearance of the drying apparatus la, there are provided various components such as the
treatment chamber 2, thecirculation flow channel 20, acondenser 41, theheater 10 and the thermoelectricheat pump device 30. Thetreatment chamber 2 may be configured to have a drum shape, which is open at the front and rear surfaces thereof, so as to contain therein objects to be dried, such as clothes, and may be configured to be rotated about a horizontal rotating axis o. In some embodiments, thetreatment chamber 2 may be inclined such that the open front surface, through which clothes are introduced into thetreatment chamber 2, is positioned higher than the rear surface. In this case, the rotating axis O may be inclined with respect to a horizontal line. - Although not illustrated in the drawings, the
treatment chamber 2 may be provided therein with a plurality of lifters, which protrude at predetermined intervals from the inner surface thereof and extend longitudinally, such that clothes contained in thetreatment chamber 2 are lifted to a predetermined height by the lifters and are then allowed to drop. Thetreatment chamber 2 may receive the rotating force from themotor 8 via abelt 5 wound around the outer circumferential surface thereof. - The front and rear ends of the
treatment chamber 2 may be rotatably supported by afront support 3 and arear support 4, respectively. Thefront support 3 and/or therear support 4 may include a roller (not shown), which rolls in the state of being in contact with the outer circumferential surface of thetreatment chamber 2. - The
front support 3 may be provided with an introduction port, through which clothes are put into or taken out of thetreatment chamber 2. The introduction portion may be opened or closed by adoor 9. Thefront support 3 may be coupled to one end of thecirculation flow channel 20, and may be provided with an air discharge port for allowing thetreatment chamber 3 to communicate with thecirculation flow channel 20. The air discharge port may be provided with a filter 6 for collecting contaminants such as dust, lint or the like, which are contained in the air discharged through the air discharge port from thetreatment chamber 2. In order to allow a user to easily remove contaminants collected on the filter 6, the filter 6 may be detachably coupled to thefront support 3 or thecirculation flow channel 20. - The other end of the
circulation flow channel 20 may be connected to therear support 4. Therear support 4 may be provided with an air supply port, which enables thetreatment chamber 2 to communicate with thecirculation flow channel 20 so as to allow air to be supplied into thetreatment chamber 2 through thecirculation flow channel 20. - The
circulation flow channel 20 serves as a flow channel for guiding air discharged from thetreatment chamber 2 outside thetreatment chamber 2. Specifically, thecirculation flow channel 20 includes the section between the air discharge port in thefront support 3 and the air supply port in therear support 4. - The flowing air, which is transferred through the
circulation flow channel 20, may be generated by rotation of theblower 7. In this embodiment, theblower 7 is rotated by themotor 8, which is also utilized to rotate the belt 50. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and an additional motor may further be provided. - The
circulation flow channel 20 may include a firstbranch flow channel 22 and a secondbranch flow channel 23, which are connected to each other in parallel. Thecirculation flow channel 20 may diverge into the firstbranch flow channel 22 and the secondbranch flow channel 23 from a portion, which is positioned upstream of thecondenser 41. The flowing air, which is transferred through thecirculation flow channel 20, is divided into a first flowing air branch 1 and a second flowing air branch F2, which are respectively transferred through the firstbranch flow channel 22 and the secondbranch flow channel 23. - The first
branch flow channel 22 may be provided with thecondenser 41 for condensing the moisture contained in the first flowing air branch Fl. Thecondenser 41 may constitute arefrigerant heat pump 40. Therefrigerant heat pump 40 constitutes a refrigerant circulation cycle, which performs compression, expansion, evaporation and condensation of refrigerant injected into a closed flow channel, so as to exchange heat between the refrigerant and surrounding medium (for example, the first flowing air branch F1). To this end, the drying apparatus may include acompressor 42 for compressing the refrigerant, an expansion valve (not shown) for expanding the refrigerant, which has been compressed by thecompressor 42, an evaporation heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant, which has been expanded by the expansion valve and surrounding medium (e.g. air), so as to evaporate the refrigerant, a condensation heat exchanger for further exchanging heat between the refrigerant, which has been evaporated while passing through the evaporator and low-temperature surrounding medium, so as to condense the refrigerant, and the like. This construction is well known to those in the art. Thecondenser 41, which includes by an evaporator constituting theheat pump 40, serves to contact flowing airing in the firstbranch flow channel 22 so as to condense moisture contained in the first flowing air branch F1. - In some embodiments, a water-cooling condenser of an air-cooling condenser may be provided. In the case of the water-cooling condenser, cold water may be supplied into the first
branch flow channel 22. In this case, high-temperature and high-humidity air contacts the cold water, thereby being condensed. - The air-cooling condenser may include a cooling fan (not shown), which is disposed outside the
circulation flow channel 20 so as to cool the firstbranch flow channel 22. In this case, the first flowing air branch F1 is cooled by the cooling fan, and moisture contained in the first flowing air 1 is thus condensed. - A
separator 12, which discharges, the condensed water collected in the firstbranch flow channel 22, to the outside, may be provided. Theseparator 12 may be disposed at an appropriate position on the firstbranch flow channel 22, at which condensed water is collected. Theseparator 12 may preferably include a check valve, which opens the flow channel only during the discharge of condensed water and maintains the flow channel in the closed state when condensed water is not being discharged, so as to allow discharge of condensed water while preventing the leakage of air. - The thermoelectric
heat pump device 30 may include aheat radiation part 32, which is disposed in the firstbranch flow channel 22 so as to heat at least a part of the first flowing air branch F1, which has passed through thecondenser 41, aheat absorption part 33, which is disposed in the secondbranch flow channel 23 so as to cool at least a part of the second flowing air branch F2, and athermoelectric pump unit 31 for transferring heat from theheat absorption part 33 to theheat radiation part 32. - The
thermoelectric pump unit 31 is a device adapted to transfer heat, which is generated from one of two surfaces thereof having different temperatures, to the other surface using a thermoelectric effect. Since this principle is well known in the art, a description thereof is omitted herein. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , thethermoelectric pump unit 31 may include a Peltier element, and aheat radiation surface 31 b and aheat absorption surface 31 c, which are disposed on two surfaces of the Peltier element. When the electric power is supplied to thethermoelectric pump unit 31, heat from theheat radiation surface 31 b is transferred to theheat radiation part 32, and, at the same time, heat from theheat absorption part 33 is transferred to theheat absorption surface 31 c. InFIG. 2 , a plurality of Peltier elements are stacked on a printed circuit board (PCB). - At least one of the
heat radiation part 32 and theheat absorption part 33 may include a thermalconductive rib 35. The thermalconductive rib 35, which is intended to increase the surface area contributing to heat radiation or heat absorption, may include a plurality of thermalconductive ribs 35. - More specifically, the
heat radiation part 32 may include a first thermalconductive plate 32 a, a first surface of which faces theheat radiation surface 31 b. The first thermalconductive plate 32 a may be provided on a second surface opposite to the first surface thereof with a plurality ofribs 35, which are disposed at predetermined intervals and extend in the direction of air flow. - The
heat absorption part 33 may include a second thermalconductive plate 33 a, a first surface of which faces theheat absorption surface 31 c. In this embodiment, theribs 35 are configured to have substantially the same structure, and are provided on theheat absorption part 33 and theheat radiation part 32. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first and second thermalconductive plates ribs 35 may be configured to have appropriate shapes depending on the shape of the firstbranch flow channel 22 and/or the secondbranch flow channel 23. - In the case in which the
ribs 35 constitute theheat absorption part 33, if a distance between theribs 35 is expensively small, condensed water cannot efficiently flow along the surfaces of theribs 35, and may block the flow of air passing through the gaps between theribs 35. Accordingly, it is preferable to set an appropriate distance between theribs 35. - The
circulation flow channel 20 may further include a convergingflow channel 24, in which the firstbranch flow channel 22 and the secondbranch flow channel 23 are joined each other such that the first flowing air branch F1, which has passed through theheat radiation part 32, and the second flowing air branch F2, which has passed through theheat absorption part 33, meet each other and such that the mixed flowing air is guided to theheater 10. - One end of the converging
flow channel 24, through which flowing air is discharged, communicates with thetreatment chamber 2 through the air supply port in therear support 4. The convergingflow channel 24 may be provided with theheater 10. Theheater 10, which generates heat due to electric resistance, may be constituted by a sheath heater, a coil heater or the like. - The first flowing air branch F1, which is discharged from the first
branch flow channel 22, and the second flowing air branch F2, which is discharged from the secondbranch flow channel 23, meet each other in the convergingflow channel 24, and the mixed flowing air is heated by theheater 10 and is supplied into thetreatment chamber 2 again. -
FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating awashing apparatus 1 b with drying function for performing both washing and drying operations according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the components that are identical to those of the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the previous embodiment is to be incorporated in place of providing the description of such components. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , thewashing apparatus 1 b according to the embodiment of the present invention includes atub 13, which is disposed in a casing (not shown) defining the appearance ofwashing apparatus 1 b so as to contain washing water therein, and a treatment chamber orrotatable drum 2 disposed in thetub 13. Thechamber 2 may be provided therethrough with a plurality of throughholes 2 a so as to allow washing water to be circulated between thetub 13 and thetreatment chamber 2. - The
washing apparatus 1 b may include awater supply unit 14 for supplying washing water into thetub 13 through a watersupply flow channel 15, a waterdischarge flow channel 16 for discharging washing water from thetub 13, and awater discharge pump 17 disposed in the waterdischarge flow channel 16. Since the watersupply flow channel 15, thewater supply unit 14, the waterdischarge flow channel 16 and thewater discharge pump 17 are well known to those in the art, descriptions thereof are omitted. - The
tub 13 may be provided with an air discharge port, through which air is discharged into thecirculation flow channel 20, and an air supply port, through which air is introduced from thecirculation flow channel 20. Thetub 13 includes a fixedcylindrical drum part 13 a and arear wall part 13 b for closing the rear end of thedrum part 13 a. The air discharge port is formed in a lower portion of therear wall part 13 b, and the air supply port is formed in an upper portion of thedrum part 13 a. - Although the
blower 7 is provided in the convergingflow channel 24 in this embodiment, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. - In a conventional washing apparatus with drying function, a drying duct, which is intended to supply air, heated by the
heater 10, into thetub 13, is disposed behind thetub 13. This embodiment is provided with the firstbranch flow channel 22 and the secondbranch flow channel 23 by changing the structure of a conventional drying duct. - In the above-described embodiments, air, which is discharged from the
treatment chamber 2, contains a large amount of moisture, which is absorbed from clothes. Since a portion of the humid air (i.e. the first flowing air branch F1) is introduced into the firstbranch flow channel 22, and moisture contained in the air is thus condensed by thecondenser 41, the remaining portion of the air (i.e. the second flowing air branch F2), which is introduced into the secondbranch flow channel 23, has a relatively high humidity compared to the first flowing air branch F1, and thus has higher heat capacity than the first flowing air branch F1. Accordingly, there is an effect of increasing the amount of heat energy transferred from theheat absorption part 33 to theheat radiation part 32 by virtue of thethermoelectric pump unit 31. Furthermore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of heat radiation of theheat radiation part 32 by reducing the temperature difference between theheat absorption part 33 and theheat radiation part 32. Here, the efficiency of heat radiation may be maximized by appropriately controlling the ratio of the surface area at which theheat absorption part 33 contacts air to the surface area at which theheat radiation part 32 contacts air. - In the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention, since not only the
heater 10 but also theheat radiation part 32 serves to heat air supplied into thetreatment chamber 2, the laundry treatment apparatus can be operated using aheater 10 having a heat capacity that is reduced by an amount corresponding to the heat capacity supplied from theheat radiation part 32. In particular, since the efficiency of the thermoelectricheat pump device 30 is superior to theheater 10, which generates heat based on electric resistance, there is an advantage of improving the overall energy efficiency of the drying system. - Various embodiments have been described in the best mode for carrying out the invention.
- Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
Claims (10)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR10-2015-0065481 | 2015-05-11 | ||
KR1020150065481A KR101694158B1 (en) | 2015-05-11 | 2015-05-11 | Laundry treatment apparatus |
PCT/KR2016/004941 WO2016182346A1 (en) | 2015-05-11 | 2016-05-11 | Laundry treatment apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20180094379A1 true US20180094379A1 (en) | 2018-04-05 |
Family
ID=57248065
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/573,289 Abandoned US20180094379A1 (en) | 2015-05-11 | 2016-05-11 | Laundry treatment apparatus |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20180094379A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3294943B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR101694158B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016182346A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20180371681A1 (en) * | 2015-12-15 | 2018-12-27 | Qingdao Haier Drum Washing Machine Co., Ltd. | Washer-dryer and control method |
US20180371682A1 (en) * | 2015-12-16 | 2018-12-27 | Qingdao Haier Drum Washing Machine Co., Ltd. | Clothes drying device and method for drying clothes |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR102619008B1 (en) | 2018-02-12 | 2023-12-28 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Apparatus for treating laundry |
KR20230101604A (en) * | 2021-12-29 | 2023-07-06 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Washing machine with drying function |
KR20230108148A (en) * | 2022-01-10 | 2023-07-18 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dishwasher and control method with the same |
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US20070101602A1 (en) * | 2005-11-04 | 2007-05-10 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Drum washing machine and clothes dryer using thermoelectric module |
US20090044576A1 (en) * | 2005-12-06 | 2009-02-19 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Apparatus and Method for Loading Items to Be Washed With an Air Flow |
US20090293301A1 (en) * | 2006-06-06 | 2009-12-03 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Device and Method for Drying Laundry |
DE202009005871U1 (en) * | 2009-04-21 | 2010-09-16 | Autokühler GmbH & Co. KG | Thermoelectric heat pump and household appliance manufactured therewith for the care of laundry items |
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DE20101641U1 (en) | 2001-01-29 | 2002-06-06 | Akg Thermotechnik Gmbh & Co Kg | Condensation dryer and suitable condensation heat exchanger |
KR100640787B1 (en) * | 2005-11-04 | 2006-11-02 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Laundry device combining washing machine having thermoelectric module-type condensing device |
DE102006005810A1 (en) | 2006-02-08 | 2007-08-16 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Sealing device has heat exchangers and Peltier element is arranged in gap between heat exchangers and gap is sealed by sealing for a heat exchanger assembly, element, which is formed from elastomer |
DE102007062836A1 (en) | 2007-12-27 | 2009-07-02 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Method for disposing of a condensate in a domestic appliance for the care of laundry items |
KR101128810B1 (en) | 2009-01-09 | 2012-03-23 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Washing machine |
EP2576888B1 (en) * | 2010-06-07 | 2014-03-19 | Arçelik Anonim Sirketi | A thermoelectric heat pump laundry dryer |
TR201106328A1 (en) | 2011-06-27 | 2013-01-21 | Arçeli̇k Anoni̇m Şi̇rketi̇ | A washer dryer with thermoelectric heat pump. |
KR101305523B1 (en) * | 2013-05-01 | 2013-09-06 | 주식회사 이든씨엠지 | Drier |
-
2015
- 2015-05-11 KR KR1020150065481A patent/KR101694158B1/en active IP Right Grant
-
2016
- 2016-05-11 EP EP16792992.6A patent/EP3294943B1/en active Active
- 2016-05-11 WO PCT/KR2016/004941 patent/WO2016182346A1/en active Application Filing
- 2016-05-11 US US15/573,289 patent/US20180094379A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US20070101602A1 (en) * | 2005-11-04 | 2007-05-10 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Drum washing machine and clothes dryer using thermoelectric module |
US20090044576A1 (en) * | 2005-12-06 | 2009-02-19 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Apparatus and Method for Loading Items to Be Washed With an Air Flow |
US20090293301A1 (en) * | 2006-06-06 | 2009-12-03 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Device and Method for Drying Laundry |
DE202009005871U1 (en) * | 2009-04-21 | 2010-09-16 | Autokühler GmbH & Co. KG | Thermoelectric heat pump and household appliance manufactured therewith for the care of laundry items |
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US20180371681A1 (en) * | 2015-12-15 | 2018-12-27 | Qingdao Haier Drum Washing Machine Co., Ltd. | Washer-dryer and control method |
US20180371682A1 (en) * | 2015-12-16 | 2018-12-27 | Qingdao Haier Drum Washing Machine Co., Ltd. | Clothes drying device and method for drying clothes |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20160132654A (en) | 2016-11-21 |
WO2016182346A1 (en) | 2016-11-17 |
KR101694158B1 (en) | 2017-01-09 |
EP3294943A4 (en) | 2019-01-09 |
EP3294943A1 (en) | 2018-03-21 |
EP3294943B1 (en) | 2020-11-25 |
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