DE102008041474A1 - Household drying apparatus and method for cleaning a component, in particular an evaporator of a condenser device of such a household drying device - Google Patents

Abstract

For cleaning a arranged within a process air cycle of a household drying device, especially a washer or dryer components, in particular an evaporator (EV) of a condenser device, a process air blower of the household drying device is turned on during at least a portion of a rinse or at least a portion of a sequence of rinses with a flushing system. Accordingly, the household drying device is equipped with a closed process air circuit, comprising at least one heat exchanger (EV, HE), a process air blower (GB) and a flushing system (FS) for cleaning the arranged within the process air circuit component, wherein by a control device (ST; at least part of a flushing process or at least part of a sequence of flushing operations with the flushing system (FS) the process air blower (GB) is switched on or switched on.

Description

The The invention relates to a household drying appliance, in particular a washer or dryer, with a closed Process air circuit, wherein the process air circuit at least one Heat exchanger, in particular an evaporator of a capacitor device, a process air blower and a flushing system for Cleaning a component arranged within the process air cycle, having. Likewise, the invention relates to a method for opening a maintenance opening in such Dryer.

In the DE 40 23 000 C2 , of the DE 197 38 735 C2 or the WO 2006/029953 A1 in each case a domestic appliance is described in which the cooling arrangement and the heating arrangement belong to a heat pump, in which at least a part of the heat which is removed from the air flow in the cooling arrangement, the air flow in the heating arrangement is supplied again.

According to the DE 40 23 000 C2 A compressor heat pump is used, in which a working medium (carbon dioxide, propane, chlorinated and / or fluorinated hydrocarbon or a corresponding mixture, eg R134a, R152a, R407C, R410A) in the gaseous state is compressed by a compressor, then in one second heat exchanger, which is also referred to as a "heater" or "liquefier", liquefied under the release of heat, then relaxed when passing through a throttle and in a first heat exchanger, which is also referred to as a "condenser" or "evaporator" under recording is evaporated by heat. Finally, it returns to the compressor.

According to DE 197 38 735 C2 a heat pump is used, in which a first working fluid (ammonia) is periodically absorbed and desorbed by a second working fluid (water). According to WO 2006/029953 A1 For example, a heat pump is used in which thermoelectric elements, also referred to as Peltier elements and constructed with special semiconductor materials, are used to transport the heat.

From the DE 1 410 206 A is also known as a washer-dryer washing machine, in which laundry not only washed, but also can be dried. For the additional facilities required for this, the document shows several alternatives. There may be provided an electric heater for heating an air flow used for drying laundry and a simple heat exchanger for cooling the heated air stream after the laundry has been applied, but the heater and the cooler may also belong to a heat pump device. Any subsequent reference to a "tumble drier" therefore applies to both a device intended for drying and a device for washing and drying.

at a tumble dryer with a heat pump the cooling of the warm, moisture-laden process air and condensing the contained moisture substantially in the first heat exchanger, in which the with the process air supplied heat for evaporation of the working fluid is used. In the second heat exchanger, in the due the condensation of the gaseous working fluid heat is released, the process air before entering the laundry drum or Treatment chamber reheated. The liquefied working fluid is due to a throttle, in which the pressure of the working fluid is lowered, and led back to the evaporator, There, with renewed absorption of heat from the process air to evaporate.

From the DE 30 00 865 A1 For example, an aggregate for heat recovery in an exhaust air dryer is known, which can be configured as a heat exchanger or as a heat pump. In this case, the process air is extracted by the evaporator heat, which is supplied via the condenser ambient air, which usually flows with ambient conditions in the heat exchanger surfaces of the heat exchanger.

Either in conventional heat exchangers as well as in Heat exchangers with a heat pump is the Problem of contamination at their incident surfaces. The inflow surfaces of the used as an evaporator Heat exchanger are thereby by the process air or Contaminated lint and particles contaminated therein. With the liquefier be the Anströmungsflächen depending on the design contaminated by the ambient air or the process air. To avoid a diminishing performance over time due to increasing pollution, the insert is removable or cleanable filter known. For cleaning an evaporator Condensation dryers with heat pumps are also available so-called purging device for the evaporator known.

From the DE 37 38 031 C2 For example, a method and apparatus for removing lint from a condensate separator formed as a heat exchanger are known. In the known method concerned and in the device provided for its implementation, a relatively small amount of about one-half liter of condensed water is used for the single-flushing of plates of the envisaged capacitor device. The relevant flushing process takes about For 30 seconds. However, in order to effectively remove fluff from the condenser device stuck in the condenser device in question when drying wet laundry, a relatively heavy flushing of the condenser device is required. As the condensed water, condensed water collected in a condenser water tank is used.

From the EP 0 468 573 A1 For example, a device for cleaning the evaporator of a condenser device in a tumble dryer is known. In this device, the evaporator of the condenser device, which consists of a multiplicity of lamellae arranged parallel to one another, can be cleaned by means of a cleaning device on its side opposite a condensate water trough. This cleaning device consists of a reciprocating comb-like brush or bristle arrangement, which is additionally supplied in the condensate water tank contained condensate water.

From the DE 199 43 125 A1 In addition, a method and a household tumble dryer for cleaning a portion of a guide of a process air flow are known. In this case, a process air blower for generating the process air flow is provided, which can be brought in a drying room with the laundry to be dried for the absorption of moisture in contact.

Outside a drying phase in which by means of the process air blower generates the process air flow and in the drying room with the to be dried Laundry is brought in a cleaning phase When the process air blower is switched off, a section of the Process air management at least partially for a flooded with a liquid for a certain period of time. These Liquid is then removed at the end of the cleaning phase flooded section of the process air duct removed again. In particular, the removed liquid is condensate liquid from a condensate tank, in which during drying of the laundry condensate water is collected from the drying of wet laundry is won.

It are thus various types of dryers with cleaning facilities known for heat exchangers in which condensate or fresh water over the exchange surfaces of the Heat exchanger is flushed to residue How to remove lint, detergent residue and lime. These systems work with the process air blower switched off. Most Deposits on the heat exchangers can be found on the front Side of the evaporator. This area in which the almost total in the process air flow entrained particles deposit leaves clean well with the fan off.

In order to from a previous perspective, both the requirement to remove the deposited dirt, as well as the other Requirement meets the process air blower during to turn off the rinsing process. By switching off the Prozessluftgebläses should in particular entrainment Rinse water can be prevented with the process air flow and thus avoiding that residual water at inaccessible Areas in the process air duct stops.

low Amounts of fluff or detergent residues but go between the Fins of the evaporator through and store at the front of the condenser. These impurities will not remove and reduce over the lifetime of the Performance of the tumble dryer or household drying device. Should Cleaning this area also must be done by a normally non-expert user a specially trained service technician be called.

It it is the object of the present invention to provide a domestic drying apparatus, in particular tumble dryer, or in a process too their cleaning a way to create, even components a process air cycle behind an evaporator with simple to clean technical means.

These The task is carried out by means of a household drying device, in particular tumble dryer, or by means of a method with the features of the independent claims solved. In particular, preferred embodiments are The dependent claims can be removed.

Indicated according to the invention Thus, a household drying device, in particular a Washer or dryer, with a closed process air cycle, wherein the process air circuit at least one heat exchanger, in particular an evaporator of a capacitor device, a Process air blower and a flushing system for cleaning a within the process air circuit arranged components, in particular a condenser. By a control device is during at least a portion of a rinse or at least part of a sequence of rinses the process air blower is switched on for the flushing system or switchable.

Likewise, the subject of the invention is a method for cleaning a within a process air cycle of a household drying appliance, in particular a washing or tumble dryer, arranged component, in particular an evaporator of a condenser device, wherein a process air blower of the household drying device is switched on during at least a part of a flushing process or at least part of a sequence of flushing operations with a flushing system.

Intended is thus a cleaning device in which the cleaning of Heat exchanger depending on the design with temporary or with always running process air blower. opposite previous views that entrainment of rinse water must necessarily be prevented, is now just a carry of rinse water with the process air over that actually sought to be cleaned part, also arranged behind it in the components To clean the process air circuit.

low However, quantities of fluff or detergent residues go through fins of the evaporator as the first heat exchanger and store at the front of a heater or condenser as a second heat exchanger. This area can be surprising be cleaned when the process air blower is turned on and the static and dynamic air pressure is the cleaning water through the fins of the evaporator to the front of the evaporator Condenser presses. The residues on the condenser have only a slight adhesion to the slats, so that already little cleaning liquid for cleaning the residues is sufficient. Because the amount of deposits at the condenser is significantly lower than the evaporator, can the number of cleanings with fan running also be executed correspondingly lower.

A Version with running process air blower has the advantage that even horizontally or horizontally arranged heat exchanger fins, such as they are present in conventional condensation dryers, without Problems can be cleaned up. The household appliance or the method for its control are accordingly designed so that the heat exchanger is an evaporator with essentially horizontal Slats is and the controller is the process air blower at each of those performed with the flushing system Rinsing turns on. In particular, that is Domestic appliance and its control device or the method designed so that the component is an evaporator with substantially horizontal slats is included and the process air blower each of the rinses performed with the flushing system is turned on.

at a heat pump tumble dryer with vertical aligned heat exchanger fins becomes an alternating Cleaning with or without running process air blower preferred. Most of the deposits on the heat exchangers can be found on the front side of the evaporator, which is particularly good clean when the process air blower is switched off, so it is beneficial that process air blower is not constantly run. The household appliance or the method for its control are designed accordingly, that the heat exchanger is an evaporator with substantially vertical Slats is and the controller is the process air blower only in part and not every time in the sequence of rinses turns on with the flushing system. In particular, the household appliance or the method designed so that the control device designed is, the process air blower only at every tenth to two hundred and fiftieth, especially every thirtieth to one hundredth, preferably every fifty or so flushes turn.

Prefers becomes a household drying device in which the flushing system as a purged lint, in particular as a Heat exchanger upstream flushed lint filter is designed.

The Control device can in particular as an electronic control device and / or a microprocessor be configured. In principle, however also manual switches for process execution used.

The Process air blower can be used as pressing or sucking Be configured process air blower. In particular, can the arrangement of the process air blower within the process air circulation be provided in different places.

In a household drying device, especially in a tumble dryer so remains the performance of a heat exchanger over the life of the device without maintenance by the customer preserved unchanged. In particular, a cleaning of horizontal heat exchanger surfaces and at one Heat pump dryer also a cleaning of the condenser allows.

In the following figures, the invention with reference to two embodiments described in more detail schematically. Here are for clarity in the different figures the same or equivalent elements provided with the same reference numerals.

1 shows components of a clothes dryer as a Hauhaltstrocknungsgerät with a Flusenspülsystem according to a first embodiment and

2 shows components of a clothes dryer as a Häushaltstrocknungsgerät with a lint washing system according to a second off leadership example.

1 shows a clothes dryer 1 , which is equivalent to a washer-dryer.

In the 1 a device shown in a schematic representation according to a first embodiment is contained in a household drying appliance with a lint washing system such as in particular a washing or tumble dryer, of which in 1 however, only the parts essential for an understanding of the present explanation are shown. These parts include, above all, a laundry or laundry drum WT to be dried, which is to be dried, and a process-air flow arrangement connected thereto, which is considered in more detail below 1 indicated arrows process air flows.

A process air circuit with this process air flow arrangement comprises a number of first to fourth process air ducts LU1, LU2, LU3 and LU4 and devices connected thereto, in the form of a process air blower GB, a heating device, in particular a first heat exchanger HE and an evaporator, in particular a second heat exchanger EV not shown here capacitor device. The evaporator or first heat exchanger EV is connected on the outlet side via a funnel-shaped connection TR1 serving as a transition part to the one end of the first process air duct LU1, to which cold, dry process air is supplied and which is connected at its other end to an input connection of the process air blower GB. This process air blower GB is connected on the output side via the second process air duct LU2 to the input side of the heating device or the second heat exchanger HE, which is connected on the output side by the third process air duct LU3 to the input side of the washing or laundry drum WT for the supply of now hot, dry process air , On the output side is the washing or laundry drum WT for discharging hot moist process air, which is discharged from it to be dried wet laundry, through the fourth process air duct LU4 and an adjoining, also serving as a transition part funnel-shaped connection TR2 with the inlet side of the evaporator or first heat exchanger EV connected. In this evaporator, condensation of the moisture of the hot, moist process air supplied by the fourth process air channel LU4 from the washing or laundry drum WT takes place. The resulting condensate in the evaporator EV occurs as in 1 indicated, in the form of water droplets in a arranged below the evaporator or first heat exchanger EV condensate water tank KW, in which it is collected.

The in the condensate water tank KW collected condensate must be off this be removed, so it does not come to an overflow. For this purpose, the condensate water tank KW, for example, by a Not shown connecting channel connected to an outlet. Also, a manual emptying by a user can be provided be. The illustrated condensation water tub KW is over a first connection channel K1 with the input side of an electrical Pump P connected, for example, be an impeller can. On the output side, the pump P is through a second connection channel K2 with the input side of other components of a flushing system FS like a rinsing nozzle DU connected.

To control the in 1 shown various devices, as mentioned above, a control device ST is provided. This control device ST may include, for example, a microcontroller with its own software or a microprocessor control with a CPU, a ROM containing an operating program and a work program and a RAM RAM and interface circuits to which the input side actuating signals are supplied and the output control signals to the various devices of in 1 to make displayed device permit.

The control device ST has according to 1 For example, two input terminals E1 and E2, with which switches S1 and S2 are connected, each of which is located at a voltage terminal U, for example, may cause a voltage of +5 V. On the output side, the control device ST in the present case, for example, four output terminals A1, A2, A3 and A4.

Of the first output terminal A1 of the control device ST is provided with a corresponding control input of the heater HE and the second heat exchanger connected to the control signals supplied by this control input can be switched on or off.

Of the second output terminal A2 of the control device ST is provided with a Control input of the process air blower GB connected, which by him at this control input supplied control signals can be switched on or off.

The third output terminal A3 of the control device ST is connected via a connection to the washing or laundry drum WT, which is to be understood only as an operative connection, which can be set in rotation or stopped by the control signals emitted via the relevant connection. This be indicates that the relevant control signals from the third output port A3 of the control device ST are delivered to a drive motor connected to the washing drum or laundry drum WT.

Of the fourth output terminal A4 of the control device ST is with a Control input of the pump P connected to it through this connection supplied control signals either to a pumping operation can be set or shut down.

in the With regard to the above-considered control device ST with their input terminals E1 and E2 and output terminals A1 to A6 should be noted that by closing the connected to the input terminal E1 of the control device ST Switch S1, for example, the normal drying operation of in the washing or laundry drum WT befindlicher damp Laundry is initiated and carried out and that by closing the with the input terminal E2 of the control device ST connected switch S2 initiated a flushing process becomes. In this case, the actuation of the two switches S1 and S2 are made so that in particular for a Flushing operation Both switches S1 and S2 can be actuated simultaneously are. The respective switches S1 and S2 can, moreover, respectively be formed by a push button.

The Provision of condensate water from the condensate water tray For example, KW can programmatically control a flush preferably during a drying operation or else after its completion automatically or selectively by manual intervention into the program control of the washing machine containing the device described or tumble dryer done. In the case of such a manual Intervention in the program control could be the control device ST with another input via another switch (not shown) to be connected to the voltage terminal U. By the completion of a drying process flushing with the flushing system FS are to the evaporator EV at the fins LV adhering lint and other contaminants due to the condensate water washed away. This flushing process can with the relevant Condensate water optionally repeated once or several times become. This is then in each case again in the condensate water tank KW collected condensate back into the circulation of the flushing system FS initiate. After completing the cleaning or rinsing process is the condensate water collected in the condensate water tank KW either to discharge into an existing sewage system or to pump into another collection container, which then manually to empty.

To the Removing lint from the process air is the flushing system FS as a particularly well-known Flusenspülsystem in the process air duct LU4, LU1 arranged. The lint washing system is preferred FS thereby at or before serving as an evaporator first heat exchanger EV arranged to clean this. The lint washing system FS preferably uses the deposited moisture, which in a collection container such as the condensation water sump KW of the Moisture trap was collected.

While the graphically illustrated process air blower GB between the second heat exchanger HE or condenser and the washing or laundry drum WT is located, The process air blower GB can also be connected to any used in another position within the process air cycle be. Particularly preferred are an arrangement in front or behind the washing or laundry drum WT, wherein the process air blower GB is then used correspondingly pushing or sucking.

about the first connection channel K1 is the pump P with pure water, in particular with condensate water from the condensate water sump KW provided. In principle, however, would be possible for example in the case of a washer-dryer also the connection to a fresh water connection.

The When switched on, pump P will conduct the condensate water or fresh water through the second connection channel K2 the rinsing nozzle DU, which in the illustrated embodiment for rinsing LV vertical vanes as evaporator formed first heat exchanger EV is formed. Alternatively, such a trained flushing system FS but also in other especially known per se and be configured. In particular, the flushing system FS also as a lint filter upstream of the evaporator with purging be designed.

The Control device ST is equipped with a second switch S2 or controllable via a second by a user operable switch S2 to connect to a fourth output port A4 to apply a control signal for the pump P in the active state. When the control signal is applied across the fourth output terminal the pump pumps water, so that a rinsing process takes place.

In the embodiment with vertical louvers LV, not only a signal is applied to the output port A4 for activating the pump P in preferably every fifty or so flushing process, but in addition to the output port A2 a control signal for activating the process air flow blown GB created. By such a procedure, not only the first heat exchanger AV or the arrangement of its vertical fins LV is flushed with a small proportion of rinsing, but also a part of the liquid entrained with the process air flow through the first of the process air ducts LU1. The entrained liquid causes a cleaning of the second heat exchanger HE, which is preferably designed as a condenser or heater. Such a procedure thus has the effect that, in the case of a predominant proportion of the rinsing processes, the vaporizer or its vertical fins LV are cleaned and, in the case of a small proportion of the rinsing operations, the second heat exchanger HE or condenser is additionally cleaned.

2 shows a second embodiment, in which, in contrast to the embodiment according to 1 in the first heat exchanger EV instead of vertical slats horizontal slats LH are used. Another difference is that the fourth output port A4 is designed and switched not only for activating the pump P, but in addition to activating the process air blower GB. As a result, the process air blower GB is compulsorily activated each time the pump P of the flushing system FS is activated. Instead of such a configuration, of course, a different type of circuit can be provided, in which by a control device ST with embodiment according to 1 at the same time a signal is applied to the second output terminal A2 each time a signal is applied to the fourth output terminal A4.

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

A1, A2, A3, A4

output terminals

YOU

rinsing nozzle

E1, E2

input terminals

EV

first Heat exchanger, condenser / evaporator

FS

flushing system, Lint filter with purging

GB

Process air fan

HE

second Heat exchanger, heater / condenser

K1, K2

connecting channels

KW

Condensate water trough

LH

horizontal slats

LV

vertical slats

LU1, LU2, LU3, LU4

Process air channels

P

pump

S1, S2

switch

ST

control device

TR1, TR2

funnel-shaped Connections (transition parts)

U

voltage connection

WT

washing or laundry drum

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 4023000 C2 [0002, 0003]
• - DE 19738735 C2 [0002, 0004]
• - WO 2006/029953 A1 [0002, 0004]
• - DE 1410206 A [0005]
• - DE 3000865 A1 [0007]
• DE 3738031 C2 [0009]
• EP 0468573 A1 [0010]
• - DE 19943125 A1 [0011]

Claims (11)

Household drying apparatus, in particular tumble dryer, with a closed process air circuit, comprising at least one heat exchanger (EV, HE), in particular an evaporator of a condenser device, a process air blower (GB) and a flushing system (FS) for cleaning a arranged within the process air circuit component, characterized in that the process air blower (GB) is switched on or can be switched on by a control device (ST; S2) during at least part of a rinsing process or at least part of a sequence of rinsing processes with the rinsing system (FS). Household drying device according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that the heat exchanger (EV) is an evaporator with substantially vertical slats and the control device (ST, S2) is designed, the process air blower (P) only in one part and not every time in the sequence of flushing Turn on (FS) rinses performed. Household drying device according to claim 2, characterized characterized in that the control device (ST) is designed, the Process air blower (P) only every tenth to two hundred and fiftieth, especially every thirtieth to one hundredth, preferably turn on every fifty or so flushes. Household drying device according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that the heat exchanger (EV) is an evaporator with substantially horizontal slats and the control device (ST, S2) is designed, the process air blower (P) at each of those performed with the flushing system (FS) Turn on rinses. Household drying device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the flushing system (FS) as a purged lint, in particular as a upstream of the heat exchanger (EV) Lint filter is designed. Household drying device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control device as an electronic control device and / or a microprocessor is designed. Method for cleaning a within a process air cycle of a domestic drying appliance, in particular a washing machine or tumble dryer, arranged components, in particular an evaporator of a capacitor device, characterized that during at least a part of a rinsing process or at least part of a sequence of rinses with a flushing system (FS) a process air blower (GB) of the household drying device is turned on. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that that the component is an evaporator with substantially vertical fins is and the process air blower (P) only part of a Sequence of carried out with the flushing system (FS) Rinsing is turned on. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that that the process air blower (P) only at every tenth to two hundred and fiftieth, especially thirtieth to one hundredth, in particular about fiftieth flushing is turned on. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that that the component is an evaporator with essentially horizontal Slats is and the process air blower (P) at each of the rinsing with the flushing system (FS) is turned on. Method according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that as the rinsing system (FS) a flushed lint filter, in particular an upstream of the evaporator rinsed lint filter for performing the rinsing process is used.