WO2005073449A1

WO2005073449A1 - A washer/dryer

Info

Publication number: WO2005073449A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/050366
Authority: WO
Inventors: Serap Dikmenli; Cem Kural; Tunc Tuncel
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2004-01-30
Filing date: 2005-01-27
Publication date: 2005-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2006-07-30
Also published as: TR200603706T1

Abstract

This invention relates to a washer/dryer wherein ducts circulating the drying air during drying process of the laundry, are designed to utilize the limited volumes efficiently, wherein a compact and vibration resistant structure is attained, the pressure drops of the drying air are minimized and microwave energy is effectively directed to the laundry to be dried.

Description

Description A WASHER/DRYER

[001] This invention relates to a washer/dryer wherein microwave energy is used for drying purposes.

[002] In laundry washers/dryers utilizing microwave energy, a magnetron is used to generate the microwave energy necessary for drying process. The microwaves generated by the magnetron, are routed into the washing tank of the washer/dryer via a wave guide. If the wave guide communicates directly with the interior of the washing tank, corrosion may occur on the magnetron as a result of the effect of heat and moisture in the tank. It is necessary to improve the structure and the positioning of the wave guide in order to use the microwave energy generated, at the same efficiency while removing the magnetron away from the washing tank environment, in order to minimize pressure drops by shortening the path traveled by drying air that is used to cool down the magnetron and, to prevent the magnetron from being affected by vibrations in the tank.

[003] In the United States Patent Document US 5463821 , a description is given of a microwave dryer wherein the magnetron is placed inside the baffles in the drum and is cooled by the air circulated through the passages on the said baffles during the rotation of the drum.

[004] In the United States Patent Document US 5983520, a description is given of a microwave washer/dryer comprising a magnetron located on a bracket which is placed at the central axis of the rear wall of the washing tank and is preventing microwave leakage, and the antenna of which magnetron extends to the inside of the drum; and a duct where the drying air circulates separately from the system that produces microwave energy.

[005] In the United States Patent Document US 6393725, a description is given of a compact microwave dryer comprising a magnetron mounted onto the wall limiting the volume of the drum, a wave guide and, a power unit supplying the energy for the magnetron.

[006] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer/dryer wherein microwave energy is effectively directed to the laundry to be dried by appropriately positioning the air circulation duct and the wave guide.

[007] The washer/dryer realized in order to above mentioned aim of the invention has been illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein ;

[008] Fig.1 - is a schematic representation of a washer/dryer.

[009] Fig.2 - is a rear perspective view of the washing tank of a washer/dryer.

[010] Fig.3 - is a front perspective view of the washing tank of a washer/dryer.

[011] Fig.4 - is a detailed representation of a support and, of the washing tank of a washer/dryer. [012] Fig.5 - is a detailed representation of a wave guide and, of the washing tank of a washer/dryer. [013] Fig.6 - is an exploded view of a wave guide.

[014] Fig.7 - is a schematic representation of a circulation duct and a wave guide fixed onto a support. [015] Fig.8 - is a schematic representation of an alternative application of a support.

[016] [017] The elements shown in the drawings have been each numbered as follows: 1. Washer/dryer 2. Body 3. Washing tank 4. Drum 5. Circulation duct 6. Magnetron 7. Wave guide 8. Support 9. Fastener 10. Inlet opening 11. Anode 12. Antenna

[018] The microwave washer/dryer (1) comprises a body (2), a drum (4) where laundry is placed, a washing tank (3) in which the drum (4) moves in, a circulation duct (5) wherein the drying air circulates, and which includes the components like the heater, the fan and the condenser contributing to the drying process, a magnetron (6) that applies microwave energy to dry the laundry, a wave guide (7) directing the microwave energy to the washing tank (3), one or more supports (8) mounted onto the washing tank (3) which provide that the wave guide (7) and the circulation duct (5) are fixed to the tank (3) and positioned at a certain distance to the tank (3) and, one more fasteners (9) ensuring the connection of the wave guide (7) to the circulation duct (5).

[019] The washing tank (3) comprises an inlet opening (10) which secures that microwaves generated in the magnetron (6) and routed by the wave guide (7), pass to the drum (4).

[020] The magnetron (6) comprises an anode (11) the temperature of which rises to high values during microwave generation and an antenna (12) emitting the microwave energy.

[021] The wave guide (7) which is produced preferably by joining sheet metals is preferably in the form of an elbow, providing that the cross-section does not change along the path of the microwaves emitted by the magnetron (6) and, that the antenna (12) is positioned with an eccentricity with respect to the inlet opening (10).

[022] The magnetron (6) is located on the washing tank (3), horizontally to ensure that the aperture between the tank (3) and body (2) does not increase and as attaching both to the circulation duct (5) and the wave guide (7), wherein the anode (11) is placed inside the circulation duct (5) while the antenna (12) is placed inside the wave guide (7).

[023] The circulation duct (5) and the wave guide (7) are joined together by being juxtaposed in a way that the magnetron (6) can be fastened horizontally to both of them and, are fixed to the washing tank (3) by being placed onto the support (8).

[024] In the preferred application of the present invention, only the wave guide (7) is placed onto the support (8) and the wave guide (7) carries the circulation duct (5) via the fasteners (9), thereby it is achieved that the entire structure is positioned on the washing tank (3) at a certain distance to the tank (3) by supporting the wave guide (7) and the circulation duct (5), connected to each other, at one point.

[025] In another application of the present invention, both the wave guide (7) and the circulation duct (5) are placed onto the support (8) and thus positioned at a certain distance to the outer surface of the washing tank (3).

[026] In the washer/dryer (1), the subject of the present invention, limited volumes are utilized by establishing a compact layout of the magnetron (6), circulation duct (5) and the wave guide (7) which are used in the drying process.

[027] The circulation duct (5) and the wave guide (7) are ensured to be more resistant to vibrations by being fixed onto the washing tank (3) at a certain distance and by being placed onto the support (8).

[028] It is accomplished that microwave energy generated by the magnetron (6), is effectively directed to the interior of the washing tank (3) by traveling a short distance and, that the magnetron (6) is cooled down.

Claims

[001] A washer/dryer (1) comprising; a drum (4) where laundry is placed; a washing tank (3) where the drum (4) moves in and, which tank (3) comprises an inlet opening (10) that secures that microwaves pass to the drum (4); a circulation duct (5) wherein the drying air circulates; a magnetron (6) that applies microwave energy to dry the laundry and which comprises an anode (11) and an antenna (12) and; a wave guide (7) directing the microwave energy to the washing tank (3) and providing that the cross-section does not change along the path of the microwaves emitted by the magnetron and, that the antenna (12) is positioned with an eccentricity with respect to the inlet opening (10); and characterized by one or more supports (8) providing the fixation of the magnetron (6) which is located horizontally on the washing tank (3), wave guide (7) and the circulation duct (5) onto the washing tank (3) in a way that the anode (11) is placed inside the circulation duct (5) while the antenna (12) is placed inside the wave guide (7) and the positioning of them at a certain distance to the washing tank (3).

[002] A washer/dryer (1) as described in Claim 1, characterized by a wave guide (7) and a circulation duct (5) which are placed onto the support (8) by juxtaposing.

[003] A washer/dryer (1) as described in Claims 1 and 2, characterized by asupport (8) where only the wave guide (7) is placed on.

[004] A washer/dryer (1) as described in Claims 1 and 2, characterized by a support (8) where both the wave guide (7) and the circulation duct (5) are placed on.

[005] A washer/dryer (1) as described in any of the above Claims, characterized by one or morefasteners (9) providing the connection of the wave guide (7) and the circulation duct (5).