WO2017114631A1 - A washer dryer comprising a heating means and the control method thereof - Google Patents

A washer dryer comprising a heating means and the control method thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017114631A1
WO2017114631A1 PCT/EP2016/079439 EP2016079439W WO2017114631A1 WO 2017114631 A1 WO2017114631 A1 WO 2017114631A1 EP 2016079439 W EP2016079439 W EP 2016079439W WO 2017114631 A1 WO2017114631 A1 WO 2017114631A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tub
air channel
heating means
washer dryer
air
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2016/079439
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ahmet Burak TOP
Isil USLU
Hakan Tatar
Original Assignee
Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arcelik Anonim Sirketi filed Critical Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Publication of WO2017114631A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017114631A1/en

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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 
    • 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 
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/18—Washing liquid level
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/28—Electric heating
    • 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
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/08—Control circuits or arrangements thereof
    • 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
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/04—Heating arrangements
    • 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

Definitions

  • the wash water in the washing machine that is used for the washing process is heated by a heater disposed between the drum where the washing process is performed and the tub wherein the drum is situated.
  • the said heaters generally operate while in water and thus some amount of water has to be present in the tub so that the heater can operate. This situation requires the necessary amount of water to be used for the heater to operate even if small amount of laundry is desired to be washed and the minimum amount of water that is required for the heater to operate can be more than the water required for the small amount of laundry.
  • the process air that provides the drying is heated by a separate heater in the machines where the drying process is performed in the drum after the washing process.
  • the heaters that are used in the drying process operate without water differently from the above heaters. In the washing machines that perform both washing and drying, therefore two different heaters are disposed and the consumed minimum amount of water is determined independently of the washed laundry load. This situation causes energy and water consumption that is more than necessary.
  • the aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer dryer wherein the energy and water consumption are reduced.
  • the washer dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention and explicated in claims comprises an air channel wherein the drying air circulation is realized and that has ends connected at the portion above the maximum level the water can reach in the tub wherein the washing process is performed, and a control unit that is disposed in the air channel and that enables the heating means used for heating the drying air during the drying process to be operated in the washing process, thus providing the heating of the wash water.
  • the liquid is prevented from entering the air channel and the wash water is enabled to be heated by the heating means used also in the drying process.
  • using a separate heater that can be operated in water for heating the wash water is not required.
  • a block is disposed on the air channel that prevents liquid entry into the air channel, that is produced from air permeable – liquid-proof material.
  • the block is preferably positioned in the vicinity of the ends connected to the tub thus when the liquid enters the air channel due to any reason, the liquid is prevented from moving into the air channel. Moreover, as the block is positioned in the vicinity of the ends, the block is prevented from hindering elements like the heating means disposed in the air channel.
  • the washer dryer comprises a fan that operates at variable speeds, that is disposed on the air channel and that enables the air providing the drying to be circulated.
  • the speed of the fan By changing the speed of the fan, the flow rate of the drying air is changed.
  • the negative effect that the heating means that cannot cool or heat swiftly may cause is decreased.
  • the control method of the present invention comprises the steps of starting the washing process by placing the laundry to be washed into the tub, taking in the water to be used in washing into the tub, wetting the laundry by circulating the wash water and operating then the heating means and the fan for heating the wash water and the laundry.
  • the circulation of the wash water mentioned in the control method can be performed by a circulation pump or by rotating the drum inside the tub and wetting the laundry.
  • Figure 1 – is the perspective view of a washer dryer.
  • Figure 2 – is the sideways schematic view of the washer dryer related to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the washer dryer (1) comprises a body (2), a tub (3) disposed inside the body (2), wherein the washing/drying operations are performed, wherein the water level reaches at most the height of a maximum water level (hmax), an air channel (4) wherein the circulation of the process air providing drying is performed, the ends of which are connected to the tub (3), and a heating means (5) that is disposed inside the air channel (4) and that enables the process air to be heated.
  • hmax maximum water level
  • a heating means (5) that is disposed inside the air channel (4) and that enables the process air to be heated.
  • the washer dryer (1) of the present invention comprises the air channel (4), of which the level (d) of the ends connected to the tub (3) is higher than the maximum water level (hmax) and a control unit (6) that provides the operation of the heating means (5) in the washing process.
  • the items to be washed and the wash water are enabled to be heated by the heating means (5).
  • the ends of the air channel (4) are connected to the tub (3) so as to be at a higher level than the maximum water level (hmax) inside the tub (3). Accordingly, the water does not enter the air channel (4) in the washing process or the drying process.
  • the control unit (6) provides the operation of the heating means (5) during the washing process and thus the laundry and the wash water are enabled to be heated by the heating means (5) used in the drying process.
  • the heating operation is performed in both the washing and drying processes by a single heating means (5) disposed on the air channel (4).
  • the air channel (4) comprises a block (7) that is disposed in the vicinity of the ends thereof connected to the tub (3) and that prevents any kind of liquid entry into the air channel (4) and that is produced from air permeable – liquid-proof material.
  • the block (7) liquid entry into the air channel (4) is entirely prevented.
  • the block (7) due to configuration of the block (7), there is no hindrance in the circulation of the process air that is heated in the washing and drying processes. This embodiment enables the improvement of the above embodiment with respect to prevention of liquid entry into the air channel (4).
  • the heating means (5) is a heat pump.
  • the heat pump enables a heat exchanger to be heated by means of a compressor and by a refrigerant, the pressure of which is changed.
  • the heat exchanger heats up and transfers the heat energy thereon to the process air and the process air enables the wash water to be heated during the washing process and the laundry to be dried during the drying process.
  • the heating means (5) is a resistance heater.
  • the resistance heaters convert the electric energy passing through into heat energy.
  • the heating means (5) comprises two resistance heaters with different powers and energy saving is enabled in the heating operation.
  • control method of the present invention used in the above-disclosed washer dryer (1) and comprises the following steps executed by the control unit (6):
  • the heating means (5) is enabled to operate after the water delivered into the tub (3) is circulated thus the laundry is prevented from being damaged due to the high temperature supplied by the heating means (5).
  • both the wash water is heated and also the drying process is performed by means of the heating means (5) inside the air channel (4) by positioning the air channel (4) higher than the maximum water level (hmax) inside the tub (3).
  • hmax maximum water level

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washer dryer (1 ) comprising a body (2), a tub (3) disposed inside the body (2), wherein the washing/drying operations are performed, wherein the water level reaches at most the height of a maximum water level (hmax), an air channel (4) wherein the circulation of the process air providing drying is performed, the ends of which are connected to the tub (3), and a heating means (5) that is disposed inside the air channel (4) and that enables the process air to be heated.

Description

A WASHER DRYER COMPRISING A HEATING MEANS AND THE CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
The present invention relates to a washer dryer where the laundry is both washed and dried in the same tub.
The wash water in the washing machine that is used for the washing process is heated by a heater disposed between the drum where the washing process is performed and the tub wherein the drum is situated. The said heaters generally operate while in water and thus some amount of water has to be present in the tub so that the heater can operate. This situation requires the necessary amount of water to be used for the heater to operate even if small amount of laundry is desired to be washed and the minimum amount of water that is required for the heater to operate can be more than the water required for the small amount of laundry. The process air that provides the drying is heated by a separate heater in the machines where the drying process is performed in the drum after the washing process. The heaters that are used in the drying process operate without water differently from the above heaters. In the washing machines that perform both washing and drying, therefore two different heaters are disposed and the consumed minimum amount of water is determined independently of the washed laundry load. This situation causes energy and water consumption that is more than necessary.
In the state of the art German Patent Application No. DE102008027808, a washer dryer is disclosed, that operates the heater used in drying in the rinsing phase.
In the state of the art German Patent Application No. DE102011076218, a washer dryer is disclosed, that performs a preheating before the drying process.
In the European Patent Application No. EP2886708, a washer dryer is disclosed, wherein any one of the heat pump elements is fixed to the tub.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer dryer wherein the energy and water consumption are reduced.
The washer dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention and explicated in claims, comprises an air channel wherein the drying air circulation is realized and that has ends connected at the portion above the maximum level the water can reach in the tub wherein the washing process is performed, and a control unit that is disposed in the air channel and that enables the heating means used for heating the drying air during the drying process to be operated in the washing process, thus providing the heating of the wash water. In the washer dryer of the present invention, the liquid is prevented from entering the air channel and the wash water is enabled to be heated by the heating means used also in the drying process. By means of the present invention, using a separate heater that can be operated in water for heating the wash water is not required.
In an embodiment of the present invention, in the washer dryer, a block is disposed on the air channel that prevents liquid entry into the air channel, that is produced from air permeable – liquid-proof material. The block is preferably positioned in the vicinity of the ends connected to the tub thus when the liquid enters the air channel due to any reason, the liquid is prevented from moving into the air channel. Moreover, as the block is positioned in the vicinity of the ends, the block is prevented from hindering elements like the heating means disposed in the air channel.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer dryer comprises a fan that operates at variable speeds, that is disposed on the air channel and that enables the air providing the drying to be circulated. By changing the speed of the fan, the flow rate of the drying air is changed. Thus, when sudden temperature changes are desired, as the fan speed can be changed, the negative effect that the heating means that cannot cool or heat swiftly may cause is decreased.
The control method of the present invention comprises the steps of starting the washing process by placing the laundry to be washed into the tub, taking in the water to be used in washing into the tub, wetting the laundry by circulating the wash water and operating then the heating means and the fan for heating the wash water and the laundry. The circulation of the wash water mentioned in the control method can be performed by a circulation pump or by rotating the drum inside the tub and wetting the laundry.
In the washer dryer of the present invention, the wash water is heated by the heating means disposed on the air channel which is also used in the drying process. The air channel is also connected to the tub at a level higher than the maximum water level in the tub and during the washing process liquid entry into the air channel is prevented. Thus, heating the wash water and the drying process are realized by a single heating means, thus energy consumption and water consumption are decreased.
The washer dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 – is the perspective view of a washer dryer.
Figure 2 – is the sideways schematic view of the washer dryer related to an embodiment of the present invention.
The elements and steps in the figures are numbered as follows:
  1. Washer dryer
  2. Body
  3. Tub
  4. Air channel
  5. Heating means
  6. Control unit
  7. Block
  8. Fan
The following symbols are used so that the present invention is understood better:
d. Height of the air channel ends
hmax. Maximum water level height predetermined by the producer
The washer dryer (1) comprises a body (2), a tub (3) disposed inside the body (2), wherein the washing/drying operations are performed, wherein the water level reaches at most the height of a maximum water level (hmax), an air channel (4) wherein the circulation of the process air providing drying is performed, the ends of which are connected to the tub (3), and a heating means (5) that is disposed inside the air channel (4) and that enables the process air to be heated.
In the washer dryer (1), the items to be washed are loaded into the tub (3). During the washing process, the water level inside the tub (3) reaches at most the maximum water level height (hmax). During the drying process, the process air, heated by the heating means (5) disposed on the air channel (4), the ends of which are connected to the tub (3), is circulated through the tub (3) and the laundry is enabled to be dried.
The washer dryer (1) of the present invention comprises the air channel (4), of which the level (d) of the ends connected to the tub (3) is higher than the maximum water level (hmax) and a control unit (6) that provides the operation of the heating means (5) in the washing process. Thus, the items to be washed and the wash water are enabled to be heated by the heating means (5).
In the washer dryer (1) of the present invention, the ends of the air channel (4) are connected to the tub (3) so as to be at a higher level than the maximum water level (hmax) inside the tub (3). Accordingly, the water does not enter the air channel (4) in the washing process or the drying process. The control unit (6) provides the operation of the heating means (5) during the washing process and thus the laundry and the wash water are enabled to be heated by the heating means (5) used in the drying process. By means of the present invention, the heating operation is performed in both the washing and drying processes by a single heating means (5) disposed on the air channel (4).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the air channel (4) comprises a block (7) that is disposed in the vicinity of the ends thereof connected to the tub (3) and that prevents any kind of liquid entry into the air channel (4) and that is produced from air permeable – liquid-proof material. By means of the block (7), liquid entry into the air channel (4) is entirely prevented. However, due to configuration of the block (7), there is no hindrance in the circulation of the process air that is heated in the washing and drying processes. This embodiment enables the improvement of the above embodiment with respect to prevention of liquid entry into the air channel (4).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the heating means (5) is a heat pump. The heat pump enables a heat exchanger to be heated by means of a compressor and by a refrigerant, the pressure of which is changed. The heat exchanger heats up and transfers the heat energy thereon to the process air and the process air enables the wash water to be heated during the washing process and the laundry to be dried during the drying process.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the heating means (5) is a resistance heater. The resistance heaters convert the electric energy passing through into heat energy. In a version of this embodiment, the heating means (5) comprises two resistance heaters with different powers and energy saving is enabled in the heating operation.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer dryer (1) comprises a fan (8) that is disposed on the air channel (4) and that operates at variable speeds. The fan (8) is also controlled by the control unit (6) like the heating means (5). By means of this embodiment, the temperature inside the tub (3) is controlled by operating the fan (8) that performs the circulation of the process air at variable speeds. In this embodiment, the heating means (5) is preferably kept at a constant temperature and the temperature of the wash water is kept constant during the washing process by changing the speed of the fan (8). In this embodiment, changing the speed of the fan (8) more swiftly with respect to changing the temperature of the heating means (5) is benefited from. Accordingly, the fluctuation of the wash water temperature is prevented.
The control method of the present invention used in the above-disclosed washer dryer (1) and comprises the following steps executed by the control unit (6):
- starting the washing process by placing the items to be washed into the tub (3),
- receiving the water into the tub (3),
- wetting the items to be washed by circulating water inside the tub (3),
- operating the heating means and the fan (8).
In the control method, the heating means (5) is enabled to operate after the water delivered into the tub (3) is circulated thus the laundry is prevented from being damaged due to the high temperature supplied by the heating means (5).
In the washer dryer (1) of the present invention, both the wash water is heated and also the drying process is performed by means of the heating means (5) inside the air channel (4) by positioning the air channel (4) higher than the maximum water level (hmax) inside the tub (3). By means of the present invention, less water is used in the washing process.

Claims (4)

  1. A washer dryer (1) comprising a body (2), a tub (3) disposed inside the body (2), wherein the washing/drying operations are performed, wherein the water level reaches at most the height of a maximum water level (hmax), an air channel (4) wherein the circulation of the process air providing drying is performed, the ends of which are connected to the tub (3), and a heating means (5) that is disposed inside the air channel (4) and that enables the process air to be heated, characterized by the air channel (4) of which the ends connected to the tub (3) are higher than the height of maximum water level (hmax) and a control unit (6) providing the operation of the heating means (5) in the washing process.
  2. A washer dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the air channel (4) comprising a block (7) in the vicinity of the ends thereof connected to the tub (3) which is produced from air permeable – liquid-proof material.
  3. A washer dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a fan (8) that is disposed on the air channel (4), that operates at variable speeds and that enables the process air to be directed.
  4. A control method used in a washer dryer (1) as in the above claims and comprising the following steps executed by the control unit (6):
    - starting the washing process by placing the items to be washed into the tub (3),
    - receiving the water into the tub (3),
    - wetting the items to be washed by circulating water inside the tub (3), and
    - operating the heating means and the fan (8).
PCT/EP2016/079439 2015-12-29 2016-12-01 A washer dryer comprising a heating means and the control method thereof WO2017114631A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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TRA2015/17403 2015-12-29
TR201517403 2015-12-29

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WO2017114631A1 true WO2017114631A1 (en) 2017-07-06

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0669417A1 (en) * 1994-02-25 1995-08-30 Esswein S.A. Washing and drying machine with a high air flow drying circuit
EP0816549A2 (en) * 1996-06-26 1998-01-07 CANDY S.p.A. Domestic washing machine having a closed drying circuit, air condensation of vapour and self cleaning filter
EP0816548A2 (en) * 1996-06-26 1998-01-07 CANDY S.p.A. Washing machine of domestic type with open drying circuit and associated accessory equipment for converting the drying circuit into a closed circuit with condensation of the water vapour by air
WO2002003002A1 (en) * 2000-07-05 2002-01-10 Smart Clean Combination closed-circuit washer and drier
DE102008027808A1 (en) * 2008-06-11 2009-06-25 Miele & Cie. Kg Washer drier operating method, involves processing process air by process air channel for drying laundry in drier, and activating air-heat unit in rinsing phase before beginning of drying phase
WO2014044533A2 (en) * 2012-09-24 2014-03-27 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi A laundry washing and drying machine

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0669417A1 (en) * 1994-02-25 1995-08-30 Esswein S.A. Washing and drying machine with a high air flow drying circuit
EP0816549A2 (en) * 1996-06-26 1998-01-07 CANDY S.p.A. Domestic washing machine having a closed drying circuit, air condensation of vapour and self cleaning filter
EP0816548A2 (en) * 1996-06-26 1998-01-07 CANDY S.p.A. Washing machine of domestic type with open drying circuit and associated accessory equipment for converting the drying circuit into a closed circuit with condensation of the water vapour by air
WO2002003002A1 (en) * 2000-07-05 2002-01-10 Smart Clean Combination closed-circuit washer and drier
DE102008027808A1 (en) * 2008-06-11 2009-06-25 Miele & Cie. Kg Washer drier operating method, involves processing process air by process air channel for drying laundry in drier, and activating air-heat unit in rinsing phase before beginning of drying phase
WO2014044533A2 (en) * 2012-09-24 2014-03-27 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi A laundry washing and drying machine

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