WO2005059230A1

WO2005059230A1 - A washer/dryer

Info

Publication number: WO2005059230A1
Application number: PCT/IB2004/052805
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tunc Tuncel; Cem Kural; Serdal Elmas; Ilker Yagci
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2003-12-15
Filing date: 2004-12-14
Publication date: 2005-06-30
Also published as: TR200603432T1

Abstract

This invention relates to a washer/dryer (1) using microwave energy where an arc sensor that detects burning, yellowing and melting events in laundry during the drying process before the event happens is placed without being effected from humidity and heat.

Description

A WASHER/DRYER

This invention relates to a washer/dryer which uses microwave energy and includes an arc sensor that detects burning events in the dried laundry due to arcing before such burning happens.

In washer/dryers using microwave energy, there is a magnetron generating microwave energy and a drum where laundry to be washed is placed. During the drying process, when microwave energy is directed onto the laundry in the drum, arcing happens between metal items of the laundry, particularly between those with sharp points . Arcs and/or partial heating effect emerging as a result of microwave energy, lead to yellowing, melting and burning of laundry. Arc sensors are used to detect arcing.

In the International Patent Application no. WO 01/57457 an arc sensor is defined that may be used in washer/dryers, comprises an antenna and is placed in a container. The specification of the container in which the arc sensor is placed and how it is protected from humidity is not defined.

In the International Patent Application no. WO 03/48443 an arc sensor to be used in washer/dryers, and which is placed on the waveguide and which detects arcing by measuring the reflected power is defined. The object of this invention is to realise a washer/dryer using microwave and including an arc sensor which is placed in a way so as not to be affected by humidity and heat.

The washer/dryer designed to attain the above mentioned object is illustrated in the attached drawings where:

Figure 1- Schematic view of a washer/dryer. Figure 2- Exploded view of an arc sensor.

Parts shown on the figures are numbered as follows: 1. Washer/Dryer 2. Washing tank 3. Drum 4. Circulation canal 5. Magnetron 6. Control unit 7. Waveguide 8. Condenser 9. Fan 10. Heater 11. Washing tank outlet 12. Washing tank inlet 13. Arc sensor 14. Housing 15. Recess 16. Antenna 17. Diode 18. Electronic card 19. Sleeve 20. Outer pipe 21. Gasket 22. Inner pipe 23. Card holder 24. Lid 25. Slot 26. External Shell 27. Opening A washer/dryer where microwave is used (1) comprises a drum (3) where laundry to be washed is placed, a washing tank (2) in which the drum (3) moves, a magnetron (5) which generates microwave energy to evaporate the water in the laundry, a control unit (6) which evaluates the data related to washer/dryer conditions and regulates the process, a waveguide (7) which directs the microwaves onto the laundry, a condenser (8) which separates the humidity in the air by densification, a fan (9) which provides air circulation during the drying process, a heater (10) which provides heat energy during the drying process by being used alone or together with the microwave energy to speed the drying process, a water tank outlet (11) from which the humid air is sucked from the water tank (2), a water tank inlet (12) where the dehumidified and heated air is given back to the water tank (2), a circulation canal (4) where the air for the drying process is circulated, an arc sensor (13) which detects possible arcing in the drum (3) during microwave use, a housing (14) which is placed on the water tank (2), which isolates the arc sensor (13) from external factors such as humidity and heat, enables the microwave energy to pass through to the arc sensor (13) and provides the electrical conductance between the arc sensor (13) and the water tank (2), and a recess (15) which is placed on the water tank (2) in which the housing

(14) is placed.

The housing (14), comprises an external shell (26) placed in the recess

(15) and made of metal material so as to provide the electrical conductance between the water tank (2) and the arc sensor (13) that is placed into it, an opening (27) that is placed on the external shell and is connected to the water tank (2) and a gasket (21) that is made of microwave transmitting material for example polypropylene or Teflon and that covers the opening (27) so as to prevent the leakage and passage of water vapour and water.

The arc sensor (13) and the housing (14) in which it is placed, is positioned preferably vertically with respect to the water tank (2) axis and near the waveguide (7) exit in order to increase the measurement efficiency. The arc sensor (13) comprises an antenna (16) used for receiving signals, a diode (17) which rectifies the signals and, an electronic card (18) for filtering the signal and on which the antenna (16) and the diode (17) are placed. The external shell (26) comprises a sleeve (19) that fits into the recess (15) such that it can be assembled vertically with respect to the water tank (2) axis, an outer pipe (20) which provides electrical contact with the water tank (2) and isolation from the external conditions, which leans on the sleeve (19), which has an opening (27) on the end connected to the water tank (2), and in which a gasket (21) is placed, an inner pipe (22) in which an electronic card (18) is placed, which is seated on the gasket (21) covering the opening (27), placed in the outer pipe (20) in a way that enables electrical contact, a card holder (23) that consists of two pieces therebetween the electronic card (18) is placed and which brings the centre of the antenna (16) placed on the electronic card (18) and the centre of the inner pipe (22) along the same axis, a lid (24) which holds the inner pipe (22), the outer pipe and the arc sensor (13) together, and one or more slots (25) placed on the inner pipe (22) and in which an electronic card (18) is fitted so that an electrical contact with the components on the electronic card (18) is enabled. When the washer/dryer is operated, during the drying cycle, microwave energy is directed onto the laundry to be dried. During microwave energy use, the electric field intensity in the water tank (2) varies in degrees. In the event that there is any arcing in the drum (3) sudden changes take place in the electric field intensity. The arc sensor (13) detects these sudden changes in the electric field intensity and sends the measurement results to the control unit (6). When sudden changes take place in the electrical field intensity, the control unit (6) terminates or interrupts the microwave energy supply and prevents any possible yellowing, burning or melting in the laundry. Thanks to the housing (14), the arc sensor (13) is assembled on the water tank (2) enabling the easy detection of arcing in the drum (3) while at the same time being protected from the adverse effects of the outcomes of the washing and drying processes such as humidity, water, etc.

Claims

1. A washer/dryer (1) employing microwave energy, comprising a drum (3) where laundry to be washed is placed, a washing tank (2) in which the drum (3) moves, a magnetron (5) which generates microwave energy to evaporate the water in the laundry, an arc sensor (13) which detects arcing in the drum (3) during microwave use, and characterised by a housing (14) placed on the water tank (2) and in which an arc sensor (13) is placed, such that it isolates the arc sensor (13) from external factors such as humidity and heat, enables the microwave energy to pass through to the arc sensor (13) and provides the electrical conductance between the arc sensor (13) and the water tank (2).

2. A washer/dryer (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the housing (14), comprises an external shell (26) made of metal material so as to provide the electrical conductance between the water tank (2) and the arc sensor (13) that is placed into it, an opening (27) that is placed on the external shell and is connected to the water tank (2) and a gasket (21) that is made of microwave fransmitting material and which covers the opening (27) so as'to prevent the leakage and passage of water vapour and water.

3. A washer/dryer (1) according to claim 1 characterised by a recess (15) which is placed on the water tank (2) and in which the housing (14) is placed.

4. A washer/dryer (1) according to any one of the above claims, and characterised in that the housing (14) is positioned vertically with respect to the water tank (2) axis in order to increase the measurement efficiency.

5. A washer/dryer (1) according to any one of the above claims, and characterised in that the housing (14) is positioned near the waveguide (7) exit in order to increase the measurement efficiency.

6. A washer/dryer (1) according to claim 4 or 5, and characterised in that the arc sensor (13) comprises an antenna (16) used for receiving signals, a diode (17) which rectifies the signals and, an electronic card (18) for filtering the signal and on which the antenna (16) and the diode (17) are placed.

7. A washer/dryer (1) according to claim 6 characterised in that the housing (14) comprises an external shell (26) comprising a sleeve (19) that fits into the recess (15) such that it can be assembled vertically with respect to the water tank (2) axis, an outer pipe (20) which provides electrical contact with the water tank (2) and isolation from the external conditions, which leans on the sleeve (19), which has an opening (27) on the end connected to the water tank (2), and in which a gasket (21) is placed, an inner pipe (22) in which an electronic card (18) is placed, which is seated on the gasket (21) covering the opening (27) and placed in the outer pipe (20) in a way that enables electrical contact, a card holder (23) that consists of two pieces therebetween the electronic card (18) is placed and which brings the centre of the antenna (16) placed on the electronic card (18) and the centre of the inner pipe (22) along the same axis, a lid (24) which holds the inner pipe (22), the outer pipe and the arc sensor (13) together

8. A washer/dryer (1) according to claim 7 characterised in that the housing (14) comprises an external shell (26) which comprises one or more slots (25) placed on the inner pipe (22) and in which an electronic card (18) is fitted so that an electrical contact with the components on the electronic card (18) is enabled.