WO2011064161A1

WO2011064161A1 - Laundry dryer having a condensate collector

Info

Publication number: WO2011064161A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/067897
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ralf BÖMMELS; Alexander Drebant; Bernhard Gabriel; Kai Nitschmann
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2009-11-26
Filing date: 2010-11-22
Publication date: 2011-06-03
Also published as: CN102666966B; EP2504483A1; CN102666966A; EP2504483B1; PL2504483T3; DE102009047155A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a clothes dryer (1) comprising a removable condensate collector (108, 208) comprising a condensate inlet (110, 210) and a condensate outlet (131), wherein the condensate collector (108, 208) comprises a condensate filter (109, 209) having at least one screen (134, 234) fluidly disposed between the condensate inlet (110, 210) and the condensate outlet (131) at a distance from the condensate inlet (110, 210). The condensate filter (109, 209) is thereby removable from the condensate collector (108, 208) and can be locked onto the condensate collector (108, 208).

Description

Clothes drying device with a condensate collector

The invention relates to a laundry drying apparatus having a removable condensate collecting container having a condensate inlet and a condensate drain, wherein the condensate collection container has a condensate filter with at least one sieve, which is arranged fluidically between the condensate inlet and the condensate drain and spaced from the condensate inlet.

Such a laundry drying device is apparent from EP 1 936 022 A1.

In each of the documents DE 37 38 031 C2, WO 2007/093461 A1, WO 2007/093467 A1 and WO 2007/093468 A1 a dryer is disclosed in each case, which has a drying chamber to receive objects to be dried, and a process air duct for conducting process air along the articles to receive moisture therefrom; and a heat sink disposed in the process air channel to separate the moisture as condensate, the dryer having a condensate collection vessel to receive the condensate.

According to each of these documents, a condensate (typically condensed water) collected in the condensate collector is used to clean at least one component of the dryer of lint, in particular a heat sink. The heat sink is used in the drying process to extract heat from a stream of process air which is circulated to receive moisture around the articles to be dried, thus precipitating the moisture taken up from the articles as condensate. The heat sink is in particular a component of a heat pump, for example an evaporator heat exchanger in which the extracted from the process air heat is used to evaporate a refrigerant circulating through the heat pump, where it undergoes cyclic phase changes from liquid to gas and vice versa.

During a drying process, particles such as dust, hair or small fibers, referred to below as lint, may be detached from the objects to be dried by the process air. Fluff will be especially in the Drying laundry or other textiles occur, especially when the objects are circulated in a rotating drum, as is usual for laundry. A corresponding dryer will have one or more filters to filter such lint from the process air; however, a fraction of the lint will escape the filter and continue to be transported along the path of the process air. Upon subsequent cooling of the process air in the heat sink, condensate will separate out of the process air with the lint that has escaped the filter. Some of the lint so accumulated in the condensate are deposited on the heat sink and stick there. The liquid condensate collected at the heat sink, which is sent to the condensate collecting tank, will thereby also have a considerable amount of lint distributed therein. As stated in DE 37 38 031 C2, a device for cleaning the heat sink can be provided. The cleaning device has a manifold directed towards the heat sink and has means for spraying the condensate so collected onto the heat sink to remove the lint adhered to it. In order to prevent the manifold from being added by lint distributed in the condensate, it has nozzles with cross-sections large enough to allow the lint to flow without agglomeration. These large cross sections cause a low pressure and / or a low velocity of the condensate pressed through. This impairs the cleaning effect.

In order to achieve a requirement-based cleaning action on the heat exchanger, the condensate could e.g. be passed through a pot-shaped filter insert at initiation into the condensate collector. The filter cartridge could be inserted into a condensate inlet of the condensate collection tank. In the filter cartridge, the lint that may be in the condensate could be retained.

However, a use of such a filter cartridge has the following disadvantages: The relatively small screen area or filter surface of the pot-shaped filter cartridge can be clogged relatively quickly with lint. A jet of condensate, typically cyclically pumped into the condensate receiver, encounters increased flow resistance through the filter cartridge as such and increased by the accumulation of lint in the filter cartridge. The condensate can not flow off quickly enough through the filter insert, so that a backwater builds up to the overflow of the condensate can, so that the condensate can get into the interior of the laundry dryer. The lint floating in the filter insert is flushed out of the filter insert uncontrollably by the overflowing condensate. Due to its small size, the filter insert also fills quickly with lint and needs to be cleaned accordingly. In addition, it may even without the aforementioned deposits on the filter cartridge come to a condensate outlet, if the cyclically pumped condensate strikes parts of the filter cartridge, which act as a baffle plate and inject the incident condensate to the outside of the condensate collection container. It is the object of the present invention, at least partially to avoid the disadvantages mentioned above, and in particular to provide a simple, inexpensive and trouble-free way to remove lint from a condensate of a laundry dryer. This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are in particular the dependent claims.

The object is achieved by a laundry drying apparatus having a removable condensate collecting container having a condensate inlet and a condensate drain, wherein the condensate collecting container comprises a condensate filter with at least one sieve, which is arranged fluidically between the condensate inlet and the condensate drain and spaced from the condensate inlet, and wherein the Condensate filter can be removed from the condensate collection tank and locked to the condensate collection tank.

The fact that the condensate filter is arranged fluidically between the condensate inlet and the condensate outlet means that condensate introduced into the condensate inlet flows essentially completely through the condensate filter before it can be discharged as filtered condensate through the condensate drain.

According to the invention, the condensate filter is arranged at a distance from the condensate inlet in the condensate collecting tank. As a result, an increased volume for the inflowing condensate is provided in front of the condensate filter, so that a Splashing during filling of the condensate and the risk of jetting out of drops are reliably prevented.

According to the condensate filter from the condensate collection tank can be removed. Thus, the condensate filter thoroughly from stubborn adhering contaminants (fluff, etc.) can be freed.

According to the invention, the condensate filter on the condensate collection container (releasably) can be locked. This ensures that the condensate filter is fully inserted and that the condensate collector can be removed from the clothes dryer without the condensate filter coming loose from the condensate collector.

According to the invention, the condensate collection container has the particular advantage that the condensate can flow unhindered into the condensate inlet region of the condensate collection container. The volume of the condensate collection container before the condensate filter is usually much larger than the volume of the filter insert in the condensate inlet; even the condensate inlet area itself is typically already considerably larger than the known filter element. Consequently, a further water flow is not influenced as much as with the filter insert, and the inflowing condensate does not jet back. Also, an overflow of the condensate collecting tank is effectively suppressed by the larger volume even with a partially added condensate filter. Furthermore, impurities, in particular lint, have a lower concentration in the collected condensate, so that the condensate filter does not become so fast.

For easy cleaning and / or emptying of the condensate collection container, the condensate collection container can be removed from the laundry drying apparatus according to the invention.

In the context of the invention, the condensate filter can be arranged next to the condensate inlet or condensate inlet region and, for example, represent a wall of the condensate inlet region. It is exploited that the Kondensateinlassbereich itself already has a sufficiently large volume for the Condensate can provide. The condensate inlet region is also advantageously designed, in particular with regard to its volume, largely independently of the condensate filter. Another advantage is that the condensate filter can be viewed through the condensate inlet opening, so that a user can check a degree of contamination of the condensate filter without removing it.

If necessary, the condensate collector can also be filled with fresh water, possibly with an addition of a cleaning agent, instead of with condensate. For this purpose, a fresh water inlet can be arranged at the condensate inlet or at a dedicated fresh water inlet. A replenishment with fresh water can e.g. be advantageous if not enough condensate is available.

It is another preferred embodiment that the condensate filter is arranged in a flow channel between the condensate inlet and the condensate drain. The condensate filter covers a flow cross-section of the flow channel. In other words, the condensate flowing through the flow channel is filtered by the condensate filter. This makes it particularly easy to set desired filter characteristics.

It is a further preferred embodiment that the condensate filter has at least one substantially planar area sieve. This provides a condensate filter which is particularly simple in design and can be arranged. In addition, such a filter can be particularly thoroughly cleaned by reversing a flow direction, such as can be achieved by emptying the condensate collection container through the condensate inlet. This can happen, for example, after each drying process and / or after a corresponding message to the user. Under a substantially planar-area sieve can also be understood a sieve which is slightly curved, for example in the flow direction; This increases a filter surface. Generally, the shape of the sieve is not limited and may, for example, also have a semi-cylindrical contour. The sieve can basically also be corrugated and so on. In particular, for a simple and inexpensive production, a sieve is preferred which has an open shape (ie, no closed shape such as a cup, pot or tube shape). It is a further preferred embodiment that the at least one planar-area sieve is aligned substantially orthogonal to a flow direction of the condensate, for example in the flow channel. As a result, a filter surface or sieve surface can be achieved, which can be significantly larger than with a filter element assigned to the condensate inlet.

It is a particularly preferred embodiment that the condensate filter can be inserted and removed from a slot in a cover of the condensate collection container. Thus, the condensate filter can be removed very easily, and the condensate collection tank can be filled very high.

It is also a preferred embodiment that the condensate filter has a handle for removal from the condensate collection container, which greatly facilitates the removal.

It is also a preferred embodiment that the handle is hinged to a portafilter and the condensate filter is optionally locked and unlocked depending on a position of the handle on the condensate filter. Thus, the condensate filter can be easily locked and unlocked by changing the position, in particular rotational position, of the handle. For example, an upright or upstanding handle may correspond to an unlocked position, and the handle may be particularly easily grasped in this unlatched position. On the other hand, a folded-down or resting handle may correspond to a locked position. By this configuration can also be dispensed with a separate actuator for locking.

It is still a preferred embodiment that the handle is equipped with a locking lever which presses the locked condensate filter into the condensate collecting tank. The locking lever may have, for example, at least one eccentric element for a particularly simple and robust design. Through the locking lever, the condensate filter can be pressed firmly into the condensate collection tank in order to reduce or completely close possible gaps on the condensate filter. By avoiding parasitic condensate flows around the condensate filter, filter efficiency is improved. In the event that the condensate filter is locked to the condensate collecting container, when the handle is rotated on the condensate collection, there is the advantage that the handle when inserting the condensate collection in the clothes dryer due to the typically small gap between the condensate collection and the laundry dryer automatically brought into its locking position.

It is a further preferred embodiment that the condensate filter on the condensate collection container, in particular cover, is releasably latched. Such a lock is particularly easy to implement and not susceptible to wear.

It is yet another preferred embodiment that the condensate filter has on its underside a directed against the flow direction rib ("sump"). As a result, sinking particles (lint, etc.) can be collected on the screen or condensate filter and held in the flow. They can then be easily removed with the removal of the condensate filter. Without the sump, these particles would not be removed with the condensate filter and would rather be able to enter the first condensate chamber with the condensate filter removed. The sump may also be used as a coding for the correctly positioned introduction of the condensate filter into the slot provided, e.g. in the sense of a 'Poka Yoke' for the installation direction.

In the figures of the accompanying drawing, the invention will be described below in more detail schematically with reference to preferred embodiments. In this case, the same or equivalent elements may be provided with the same reference numerals for clarity. In the drawing show:

1 shows a laundry drying apparatus, which has a heat sink and a

Condensate tank has;

2 in view obliquely from above a condensate tank without his

Cover with a filter insert which can be inserted into a condensate inlet;

3 shows the condensate collection container of Figure 2 with the lid on; 4 shows an oblique view of a condensate collecting tank, which is connected to a cleaning device for rinsing a heat sink;

5 shows a plan view of a condensate collection according to a first

embodiment;

6 shows a top view of the condensate collector according to the first

Embodiment without lid;

7 shows the condensate collecting container according to the first embodiment as

Sectional view in side view along a section line A-A from Figure 5; 8 shows a front view of a condensate filter according to a first embodiment; 9 is a sectional view in an oblique view of the condensate collecting container according to the first embodiment to the condensate filter according to the first

Embodiment cut out around;

10 shows a view obliquely from above a detail of the condensate collection container according to the first embodiment in the region of the condensate filter with an unlocked condensate filter;

1 shows in a view analogous to FIG. 10 the condensate collecting container according to the first embodiment with a locked condensate filter; 12 in oblique view from above a section of a

Condensate collecting container according to a second embodiment in

Area of the condensate filter with a condensate filter according to a second

embodiment;

13 in oblique view from the rear the condensate filter according to the second

embodiment; and

14 shows a sectional side view of the condensate filter according to the second embodiment used in the condensate collecting container according to the second embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 1, a basic structure of a dryer 1 will first be described, which is designed here as a tumble dryer 1. It has a drying chamber 2, which is designed as a rotatable drum 2 and to be dried objects 3, namely wet laundry 3, contains. Process air is passed around the laundry 3 through the drying chamber 2 and in a closed loop defined by a process air duct 4. The process air duct 4 has a means for driving the process air, in particular a fan 18, as well Means for heating the process air prior to introduction into the drying chamber 2, which means are in particular a heat source 15. Furthermore, the process air line has a means to cool the process air after it has passed through the drum 2, in particular a heat sink 5.

When the process air is passed through the heat sink 5, moisture that is collected from the process air as it flows along the wet laundry 3 is separated from the process air as a liquid condensate by removing heat from the process air as it passes through the process air Heat sink 5 flows. Condensate which has been separated from the process air is collected by means of a condensate collecting device 6, 7, 8, which has a condensate line 6, which starts at the heat sink 5, and a condensate pump 7 and a condensate collecting 8, where the condensate line 6 ends. The condensate collector 8 is provided to receive the condensate as long as the drying process to dry the laundry 3 is running. After completion of the drying process, all moisture that was present in the laundry 3 before the drying process, have been collected in the form of liquid condensate in the condensate collection 8. The condensate collecting container 8 has a filter insert 9 which is permeable to condensate and projects through an opening 10 into the condensate collecting container 8. Condensate that is sent to the condensate collector 8 will enter through the filter cartridge 9. Likewise, when the condensate collecting tank 8 is removed from the dryer 1 after completion of a drying process to dispose of the condensate, the condensate is poured out of the condensate collecting tank 8 via the filter cartridge 9. The filter cartridge 9 has a first screen 1, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, for receiving particulate matter from the condensate which has been separated from the process air simultaneously with the condensate to filter and prevent particulate matter enters the condensate collection 8 and pollutes the condensate contained therein. Such particulate matter may be lint, namely small and more or less dust-like fibers, which is produced by spinning the wet laundry on rotation of the drying chamber 2 and carried away by the process air. Fluff in a broader sense may also include hair, etc. The condensate, which is deposited on the heat sink 5, absorbs such fluff (including hair) and separates it on the surfaces of the heat sink 5, which is the Process air are exposed. This may lead to fouling of the heat sink 5 and deterioration of its function.

As a layer of lint builds up on the heat sink 5, the ability of the heat sink 5 to extract heat from the process air will decrease, and efficiency of the dryer 1 will be correspondingly reduced. This layer of lint can also reduce a free flow cross-section of the heat sink 5, whereby an air resistance of the heat sink 5 increases. Consequently, a volume flow and thus a cooling capacity also decrease. Therefore, it is desirable to provide cleaning of the heat sink 5. In a conventional clothes dryer 1, where the heat sink 5 is a heat exchanger in which the heat from the process air is absorbed into cooling air (or cooling water), the heat sink 5 may be designed to be removable from the dryer 1 after a drying process is complete , As a result, the heat sink 5 can be cleaned by a user of the dryer 1. However, if the heat sink 5 is a component of a heat pump, it will not be possible to construct the heat sink 5 for removal by a user. In such case, other means must be provided to ensure proper cleaning. In the example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a cleaning device 12, 13, 14 for cleaning the heat sink 5 is provided. This apparatus comprises a liquid conduit 12 for conducting condensate from the condensate collecting tank 8 to the heat sink 5, a valve 13 for controlling the operation of the apparatus, and a distributor 14 for distributing condensate, which arrives through the liquid conduit 12, associated with the heat sink 5, via the Heat sink 5 and its surfaces exposed to the process air and the fluff contained therein. As a result, any lint adhering to the heat sink 5 can be washed off and flushed away with the condensate, which is conducted back to the condensate collecting tank 8 through the condensate line 6 and the condensate pump 7. Any lint that has been passed through the condensate line 6 will collect on the first filter 11 of the filter element 9 and be prevented from entering the condensate collection tank 8. Thereby, the lint in the filter element 9 are collected for later disposal and the condensate, which is taken up again in the condensate collecting 8, is ready for another cleaning operation, if desired. Around To remove the lint from the first filter 1 1, the filter cartridge 9 may be removed with the first filter 1 1 and the collected lint from the condensate collection 8. When the filter cartridge 9 is placed in the opening 10, which also serves to pour out the condensate collected in the condensate collector 8, the first filter 1 1 in the filter cartridge 9 by the condensate, through the opening 10 and the filter insert 9 contained therein is poured out, backwashed. As a result, the collected lint are removed from the condensate collector 8 in a single action simultaneously with the condensate. The use of such a filter cartridge 9 has the disadvantage that its volume is small, so that it simply clogged and must be cleaned frequently. In addition, the jet of the pumped condensate on entry into the condensate collection 8 on resistors (similar to a baffle plate) meet, which can spray out condensate in a filling.

As previously stated, the heat sink 5 belongs to a heat pump 5, 15, 16, 17, which is associated with the process air duct 4. The heat pump 5, 15, 16, 17 further comprises a heat source 15, which is adapted to transfer heat to the process air flowing through. Pumping the heat from the heat sink 5 to the heat source 15 is by means of a coolant, in particular a fluorinated hydrocarbon compound or a mixture of such compounds, which is circulated in a closed circuit in which it is driven by a compressor 16 and in which there is a throttle process is subjected as it flows through a throttle 17. Operation of the pump 5, 15, 16, 17 proceeds as follows: the coolant reaches the heat sink 5 as a liquid at a relatively low pressure level. In the heat sink 5, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the process air and thereby evaporates, assuming a gas state. The refrigerant in such a gas state is subsequently compressed by a compressor 16 to a relatively high pressure level and sent to the heat source 15. In the heat source 15, heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the process air, and as a result, the refrigerant condenses back into a liquid state. In this liquid state, the coolant is passed to the throttle 17, which serves to lower the internal pressure of the coolant to the lower pressure level. Consequently, the refrigerant is returned to the heat sink 5, closing the circuit to repeat the cycle of evaporation and condensation as set forth. The circuit must be perfectly sealed against any loss of coolant. Accordingly is it is not possible to remove the heat sink 5 for the purpose of cleaning or for other purposes.

The heat sink 5 and the heat source 15 shown in FIG. 1 are, in principle, understood as components of a heat pump, as further described in and with reference to FIG. In addition, they should also be understood as proxies of all known or obvious types of such components. In particular, the heat sink 5 may be an air-to-air heat exchanger, and the heat source 15 may be a classic resistance heater.

The process air duct 4 includes a blower 18 for conveying the process air flowing in its own closed loop, and also includes a second filter 19 disposed between the drying chamber 2 and the heat sink 5 for collecting a major portion of the lint , which are transported by the process air from the drying chamber 2. It should be noted that the process air duct 4, which includes all the components inserted in it, need not be perfectly closed. To ensure the operation of the dryer 1 is generally required no more and no less than to prevent greater losses of the process air, apart from considerable leakage of heat and / or moisture from the circuit. There is no need for a seal that would withstand considerable compressive loads without breaking. On the contrary, it will be desirable to keep the pressure in the circuit more or less at the pressure level outside the dryer 1. As previously stated, the drying chamber 2 is configured as a rotatable drum; a motor 22 is provided to drive the drum 2 by means of a belt 23 and a roller 24.

On the contrary to the heat sink 5, the second filter 19 may be taken out of the dryer 1 for the purpose of cleaning, and the condensate collecting tank 8 may also be taken out of the dryer 1 to dispose of the condensate. It should be noted that the connection 25 between the condensate collector 8 and the liquid line 12 must be properly configured, for example by means of Providing a valve in the condensate collector 8, which closes automatically when the condensate collector 8 is removed from the dryer 1.

Finally, it should be noted that the dryer 1 also has a control unit 26. This control unit 26 serves as an interface between the dryer 1 and the user to allow a drying process to be properly designed as desired by the user, for example by selecting from a selection of predefined drying programs. Similarly, the controller 26 serves to operate all of the components mentioned herein that require a supply of power or input of control signals, or for other control actions. In addition, the control unit 26 may also be connected to sensors, which are not shown in FIG. 1 for the sake of clarity, which sensors may be used to control a drying process in the dryer 1. All connections to and from the control unit 26 are not shown for reasons of clarity.

In Fig.2 and Fig.3, some details of the removable condensate collecting tank 8 and the filter cartridge 9 are shown. While Figure 2 shows only a housing part 20 of the condensate collection 8, Figure 3 shows the housing part 20 covered with a corresponding cover or cover 21, wherein the cover 21 has the opening 10 for inserting the filter element 9, which carries the first filter 1 1. Der Filterelement 9 ist mit dem Gehäuse 1 verbunden , This condensate collecting tank 8 is more or less designed according to a generally known practice; it is equipped with a handle 127 shown in Fig. 4, the handle 127 having a surface visible in a front part of the dryer 1 and integrated flush with the overall design of the front.

It should be noted that while, as shown in Fig. 1, the valve 13 is shown spaced from the condensate receiver 8, it may be desirable to place the valve 13 in the condensate receiver 8 and to locate the valve 13 so that it is always closed is when the container 8 is removed from the dryer 1. In such an embodiment, the condensate collecting tank 8 forms an independent unit with the valve 13, namely a unit which can be removed from the dryer 1 in order to dispose of the condensate and collected lint, without running the risk of spilling the condensate. 5 shows in plan view a new condensate collection container 108, with a lid 121 which is placed on a container body 120. Unlike the condensate collector 8, the condensate filter 109 is arranged at a distance from the condensate inlet 1 10 at the new condensate collector 108. This condensate can be poured into the condensate inlet 1 10 without the condensate filter 109 causes a stagnation of the condensate with possible back splash from the condensate inlet 1 10.

The condensate collecting tank 108 may be used instead of the condensate collecting tank 8 in the dryer 1 shown in FIG. For this purpose, the condensate collecting container 108 can be inserted and pulled out into an insertion opening (not shown) of the dryer 1 (as indicated by the double arrow), and has a handle 127 for this purpose. 6 shows in plan view the container body 120 of the condensate collection container 108 without the cover 121, and FIG. 7 shows the condensate collection container as a sectional illustration in a side view along a section line A-A from FIG. An upstanding rib 128 acting as a space divider or dividing wall divides the condensate receiving space of the container body 120 into a first condensate chamber 129a and a second condensate chamber 129b. This division of the space causes the condensate to rise first in the first condensate chamber 129a, as a result of which the water pressure rises faster than would occur if the entire container body 120 were filled. This higher water pressure causes, when opening the drain valve 13 associated with the condensate collector 108, as e.g. shown in Fig.1 and Fig.4, the condensate passes at a higher speed through the liquid line 12 and via the manifold 14 to the heat sink 5. This improves the cleaning performance. In the room layout is exploited that for a flushing of the heat sink 5 only about 2 liters of condensate are needed, which is less than the capacity of the entire container body 120, but corresponds approximately to a capacity of the first condensate chamber 192a.

The room layout is not hermetic, but there is an overflow between the two condensate chambers 129a, 129b. The rib 128 does not extend in height to the upper edge of the body, so that an upper edge of the rib 128th reaching condensate in the first condenser chamber 129a in the second condensate chamber 129b can overflow. The second condensate chamber 129b thus serves as an overflow reservoir and can be emptied by a user after removal of the condensate collection container 108.

The upstanding rib 128 is shaped to form an elongated flow channel 130 between a condensate inlet portion 10a associated with the condensate inlet 110 and a condensate outlet 131 formed in the bottom of the first condensate chamber 129a. By the condensate inlet 1 10 in the condensate inlet 1 10a filled condensate thus flows through the flow channel 130 in the direction of the condensate drain 131 and is collected at a closed valve 13 and thus closed condensate drain 131 in the first condensate chamber 129a and with the valve open 13 and thus open Condensate drain 131 from the condensate drain 131 to the heat sink 5 transported. A flow of the condensate is indicated by the hatched arrows.

In the flow channel 130, and that approximately transversely to the longitudinal orientation of the flow channel 130 and thus approximately orthogonal to the flow direction of the condensate of the condensate filter 109 is introduced. In this case, the condensate filter 109 is inserted into corresponding guides 132 of a wall of the container body 120 and the upstanding rib 128. Thus, all the condensate introduced into the condensate inlet 110 must pass through the condensate filter 109 before it can reach the condensate outlet 131. The volume available to the condensate between the condensate inlet 110 and the condensate filter 109 is considerably greater than the corresponding volume of the filter insert 9 from FIG. 2 and FIG. As a result, an overflow of the condensate via the condensate inlet 1 10 during filling of the condensate collecting container 108 is avoided even with a partially blocked condensate filter 109. The condensate filter 109 is inserted through a slot (not shown) in the lid 121 and pulled out.

8 shows the condensate filter 109 in front view analogous to the view in FIG. 7 in a view through the flow channel 130 in the direction of flow of the condensate. Of the Condensate filter 109 has a screen frame 133, in which a planar planar screen 134 is arranged for filtering the condensate flowing through it. Because of the planar area and location in the condensate flow path, this screen 134 flushes out more easily than the feed filter 9 when the condensate is poured out during manual emptying of the condensate collection container 108 by the user.

On a top side of the screen frame 133, a hinged, rotatable handle 135 is attached, which has a locking lever 136 on one side along the axis of rotation, wherein the locking lever 136 is equipped with an eccentric 139.

9 shows a sectional view in an oblique view of a section of the condensate collection container 108, in which the condensate collecting container 108 is cut along the flow channel 130 and wherein the condensate filter 109 is shown as a full element inserted into the condensate collection container 108. The condensate filter 109 is held in the respective guides 132 of the container body 120, so that the screen 134 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the condensate indicated by the hatched arrows. The condensate filter 109 can be locked in the lid 121 by the condensate filter 109 is inserted from above through the slot 141 in the lid 121 in the guides 132 until the locking lever 136 between two of the lid 121 laterally to the locking lever 136 upstanding curved projections 137th is immersed. The handle 135 is still high or parallel to the screen frame 133 (position not shown), so that it can be easily grasped. After insertion of the condensate filter 109, the handle 135 for locking the condensate filter 109 to the condensate collecting container 108 can be folded onto the cover 121, which will be explained in more detail in the following figures.

10 shows a section of the condensate collecting tank 108 with an oblique view of the cover 121 with the condensate filter 109 inserted but not locked. The corresponding view of the part of the condensate filter 109 projecting from the cover 121 in a side view along an axis of rotation onto the locking lever 136 is shown in FIG represented within the circle drawn enlarged detail. In the unlocked position shown, the handle 135 is up and Thus, it can be easily grasped for insertion or extraction of the condensate filter 109. In this position, the locking lever 136 can freely dip between the two laterally arranged by the locking lever protrusions 137. The locking lever 136 has a parallel to the vertical extent of the handle 135 protruding nose 138. The nose 138 may dip in the position shown in a recess 142 in the lid 121. The locking lever 136 is further configured as an eccentric 139 and equipped therewith. In other words, the condensate filter 109 can be easily moved with the handle 135 upright and without interference by the projections 137 in the slot 141 in the lid 121.

1 shows, in a representation analogous to FIG. 10, the condensate filter 109 used in a locked position. In the locked position, the handle 135 is folded laterally so that, as shown in the circular section, the nose 138 is laterally swung and presses against one of the projections 137. Thereby, first, the condensate filter 109 is prevented from inadvertently detaching from the condensate tank 108. Second, the condensate filter 109 is thereby forced into its seat so that potential gaps which could cause parasitic condensate flow past the condensate filter 109 are closed more reliably. The locking arrangement shown has the advantage that it is very easy ausgestaltbar. In addition, this arrangement protects against inadvertent loosening of the condensate filter 109 during operation of the dryer 1, since a handle 135, which may still be raised when the condensate collection container 108 is inserted into the dryer 1, is transferred with the insertion into the locked position, since a gap height is between the two Cover 121 and the insertion compartment of the dryer 1 is not sufficient to leave the handle 135 in the unlocked, upright rotational position.

In the lid 121, the positions of the handle 135 are inserted by the unlocked position symbols 140a and the locked position 140b. The locked position symbol 140b is present twice, which causes the handle 135 to lock the condensate filter 109 when it is turned over on both sides or in both directions of rotation. FIG. 12 shows, in an oblique view from above, a section of a condensate collecting container 208 according to a second embodiment in a region of a condensate filter 209 according to a second embodiment. In contrast to the condensate collection container 108 according to the first embodiment, the condensate collection container 208 now has a condensate inlet 210 or condensate inlet region 210a, which adjoins the condensate filter 209. The volume of the condensate inlet portion 210a before the condensate filter 209 is substantially larger than the filter cartridge at the condensate inlet of the known condensate water tank 8, so that overflowing, etc. can be prevented. Through the condensate inlet 210, a user can easily check the degree of soiling of the built-in condensate filter 209.

The condensate filter 209 now has a planar two-part sieve 234 or two planar single sieves 234, which are held in a common sieve frame 233. At the lower edge of the screen frame 233 is a sump rib 243, which is directed against the flow direction (indicated by the arrows) or in the direction of the condensate inlet region 210a. Falling lint is lying on the marshlife 243 and will not be removed by the flow of condensate. These fluff can be removed by simply removing the condensate filter 209 with the condensate collector 208. The sump rib 243 is also used for coding in order to avoid incorrect insertion of the condensate filter 209. FIG. 14 shows a side view obliquely of the condensate filter 209. FIG. 14 shows a sectional side view of the condensate filter 209 inserted into the condensate collecting tank 208. Referring to these two figures, the screen frame 233 has two latching noses 244 on its rear side corresponding spring-mounted locking receptacles 245 of the cover 221 engage and so hold the condensate filter 209 in the lid 221. The condensate filter 209 can be easily snapped and removed by grasping at its comparatively simply formed handle 235. In order to prevent rinsing out of the condensate inlet 210 during a filling of condensate with a high level in the condensate collection tank 208 due to the agitation of the water and the corresponding wave formation, the upstanding rib 128 on the condensate inlet region 210a has a comparison to another margin 247 (which defines the overflow height between the first condensate chamber 129a and the second condensate chamber 129b), lowered portion 246. The depressed portion 246 is sized to allow lint from the condensate inlet portion 210a to drain through the depressed portion 246 into the second condensate chamber 129b before being flushed out of the condensate header 208 upon being filled. Also, when the level exceeds the height of the depressed portion 246, water movement in the condensate inlet portion 210a is soothed because there is a larger water surface, which reduces a surface impulse. The water surface then corresponds to a combined water surface of the condensate inlet region 210a and the second condensate chamber 129b.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

Thus, it is also possible to use a plurality of fluidically parallel and / or serially arranged condensate filters. In general, the laundry drying apparatus may be, in particular, a washer-dryer or a tumble dryer. In this case, a conventional condensation drying method, e.g. with water as the coolant (condensation dryer or the like) and / or a heat pump for heating and cooling of the process air (heat pump dryer or the like) are used.

In addition, the type of locking is not limited to the reversal of the handle shown.

Alternatively, the condensate filter can be locked in the lid by a catch. For this purpose, the condensate filter, for example, one or more (eg two) locking means (eg latching lugs) which can engage in a sufficient insertion into corresponding non-locking means (eg locking receptacles) in the lid. Such a latching mechanism, in addition to its simple design, has the further advantage that it is also able to latch the condensate filter automatically in the lid when the condensate collecting container is inserted into the drawer of the dryer, if this has not already been done previously , The automatic latching is due to the fact that the condensate filter is pressed by the low gap height between the lid and the insertion compartment of the dryer in the lid.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 dryer

2 drying chamber

3 laundry

4 process air duct

5 heat sink

6 condensate line

7 condensate pump

8 condensate collection tanks

9 filter element

10 opening

1 1 filter

12 fluid line

13 valve

14 distributors

15 heat source

16 compressor

17 throttle

18 blowers

108 condensate collector

09 condensate filter

1 10 condensate inlet

1 10a condensate inlet area

120 container body

121 cover

127 handle

128 rib

129a first condensate chamber

129b second condensate chamber

130 flow channel

131 Condensate drain

132 leadership 133 screen frame

134 sieve

135 handle

136 locking lever

137 advantage

138 nose

139 eccentric element

140a symbol

140b icon

141 slot

142 recess

208 condensate collector

209 Condensate filter

210 condensate inlet

210a condensate inlet area

220 container body

221 cover

230 flow channel

233 sieve frame

234 sieve

235 handle

241 slot

243 marsupial

244 latch

245 locking recess

246 lowered portion of the rib

247 other edge of the rib

Claims

claims

1 . A laundry drying apparatus (1) comprising a removable condensate receiver (108; 208) having a condensate inlet (110; 210) and a condensate drain (131), the condensate receiver (108; 208) comprising a condensate filter (109; 209) having at least one screen (134, 234), which is arranged fluidically between the condensate inlet (1 10, 210) and the condensate drain (131) and spaced from the condensate inlet (1 10, 210), characterized in that the condensate filter (109, 209) removable from the condensate collecting container (108; 208) and lockable to the condensate collecting container (108; 208).

2. laundry drying apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the condensate filter (109) in a flow channel (130) between the condensate inlet (1 10) and the condensate drain (131) is arranged.

3. Laundry drying apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate filter (109; 209) has at least one substantially planar sheet (134; 234).

4. laundry drying apparatus (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one planar area sieve (134; 234) is oriented substantially orthogonal to a flow direction of the condensate.

5. The laundry drying apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate filter (109; 209) in a slot (141) in a lid (121; 221) of the condensate collection container (108; 208) can be inserted and removed therefrom.

Laundry drying apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the condensate filter (109; 209) on the lid (121; 221), can be locked.

Laundry drying apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate filter (109) has a handle (135) for removal from the condensate collecting container (108).

Laundry drying apparatus (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the handle (135) is hinged to a filter holder (133) and the condensate filter (109) depending on a position of the handle (135) on the condensate filter (109) selectively lockable and unlocked is.

Laundry drying apparatus (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the handle (135) is equipped with a locking lever (136) which pushes the locked condensate filter (109) into the condensate collecting tank (108).

Laundry drying apparatus (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the locking lever (136) has at least one eccentric element (139).

Laundry drying apparatus (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the condensate collecting container (108) is removable from the laundry drying apparatus (1) and the condensate filter (109) is locked to the condensate filter (109) if the handle (135) is turned on the condensate collector (108).

Laundry drying apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate filter (209) on the condensate collecting container (208), in particular cover (221), is releasably latched.

13. laundry drying apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate filter (209) has on its underside a directed against the flow direction rib.