Base element for a clothes dryer to collect lint particles

Abstract

Base element (102) for a clothes dryer (100) for collecting lint particles (214), wherein the base element (102) has the following features: a wet cyclone (106) for taking in process air (202) from a laundry receiving container (104); and an evaporator (108) which, when installed in the tumble dryer (100), is subjected to a flow of process air (202) from the wet cyclone (106) against gravity.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a base element for a clothes dryer for collecting lint particles, a clothes dryer and a method for operating a base element for a clothes dryer for keeping out lint particles.

[0002] Current tumble dryers protect their heat exchangers from contamination by using filters. During the drying process, lint particles are produced, which can settle on the heat exchanger fins as the water flows through them. This leads to significant contamination of the heat exchangers after only a short time, potentially resulting in total dryer failure. The existing solution involves multiple filter levels designed to trap these lint particles. These filters require regular cleaning, which is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Currently, tumble dryers use filters to prevent lint particles from reaching the heat exchangers. These filters require constant cleaning, which is costly and can be a significant expense for small businesses.If the filters leak or are used incorrectly, lint particles can still pass through and soil the fins of the dryer's heat exchanger. EP 2 872 686 B1 describes a clothes drying appliance with a lint retention device, wherein a lint separator using a filter bag and a flat sieve is intended to retain moistened lint particles. DE10 2014 204 299 A1 describes a dryer with a lint reservoir and adaptive detection of the reservoir's fill level, as well as a method for its operation.

[0003] Starting from this state of the art, the objective of the approach presented here is to provide an improved base element for a clothes dryer for collecting lint particles, an improved clothes dryer, and an improved method for operating a base element for collecting lint. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the following dependent claims.

[0004] The advantages of the approach presented here for use in a tumble dryer include the fact that a process air filter is no longer required, as well as the elimination of filter cleaning. This also prevents the customer from coming into contact with lint particles, since the lint particles are collected in a condensate container. The lint particles can then be easily rinsed away with the condensate. For example, a drawer in the tumble dryer's collection tray can be used for this purpose, or the lint particles can be pumped with the condensate into a condensate container or a drain.

[0005] A base element for a clothes dryer for collecting lint particles is presented, the base device having the following features: a wet cyclone, for capturing process air from a laundry receiving container; and an evaporator which, when installed in the tumble dryer, is subjected to a flow of process air from the wet cyclone against gravity.

[0006] A base element can be a component used in a clothes dryer. A clothes dryer is a household appliance used to dry damp textiles quickly and mechanically by supplying warm air. Lint particles can be fibers that have come loose from the yarns of clothing fabrics. The mechanical and thermal stress on garments in a clothes dryer further promotes the release of fibers from the threads. A wet cyclone can be a centrifugal filter. Process air can refer to air used for process integration. This also includes the use of air alone, such as for drying garments. A laundry receiving container can be, for example, a cylindrical container in a clothes dryer for holding garments to be dried.An evaporator can be a device for converting a liquid into its vaporous state.

[0007] According to one embodiment, a condenser, when installed in a clothes dryer, can be subjected to a flow of process air in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity. The direction of gravity can be understood as a direction perpendicular to the Earth's center when the base element is installed in a clothes dryer. By redirecting the process air, condensate drains away against the flow direction of the process air, thus preventing residues of lint particles bound in the process air and / or the condensate from depositing and adhering to the fins of the heat exchanger.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the wet cyclone can be designed to set the process air into rotation. In this case, the process air can be set into a rapid rotary motion, whereby the resulting centrifugal forces cause the heavier particles – i.e., liquids and lint particles – to be flung radially against an inner wall of the wet cyclone and from there collected in a collection container, the so-called collection basin.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the wet cyclone can be designed to form a liquid film on its inner wall. Upon contact with the lint particles, this liquid film immediately binds them.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the condenser can be designed to heat the process air and / or return it to the laundry receiving container via a blower. Since the heat required to dry the garments is not drawn from the dryer as usual, but reused continuously, an efficient cycle is created that saves energy and costs.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the collection basin can be designed to receive liquids and / or lint particles from the wet cyclone and / or evaporator, and the collection basin can in particular include a lint filter. A lint filter further filters the liquid collected in the basin to remove any remaining lint particles before the liquid is returned to the wet cyclone container.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the collection basin can be designed as a removable drawer for cleaning. Designing the collection basin as a removable drawer allows for quick and easy cleaning.

[0013] According to one embodiment, a condensate pump can be designed to pump the liquid and / or lint particles from the collection basin into a condensate container and / or a drain. The lint particles washed out during the condensation of the process air can thus be collected and subsequently disposed of easily, as the lint particles would otherwise soil the fins of the heat exchangers and severely impair the functionality of the clothes dryer.

[0014] According to one embodiment, a clothes dryer can be designed with a base element. By using the base element together with the wet cyclone, lint can be permanently retained. This requires that the wet cyclone is integrated into the base element and connected to all relevant components.

[0015] A method for operating a floor element for a clothes dryer is presented, the method comprising the following steps: Providing a liquid into a wet cyclone container to form a liquid film on an inner wall side of the wet cyclone; Collect the liquid in a collection basin; Filtering the liquid through a lint filter; and Returning the liquid to the wet cyclone container via the condensate pump.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the process can also collect the liquid from the evaporator in the collection basin during the collection step. This prevents any remaining lint particles, which may still be bound in the process air, from settling on the fins of the heat exchanger.

[0017] Another method for operating a floor element for a clothes dryer is presented, the method comprising the following steps: Introducing the process air from the laundry collection container into the wet cyclone; Guiding the process air from the wet cyclone through the evaporator; and Returning the process air to the laundry collection container.

[0018] Although the described approach is based on a household appliance, the floor element for a clothes dryer for collecting lint particles and the method for operating a floor element for a clothes dryer for preventing lint particles can be used accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device, for example a cleaning or disinfection device, a small sterilizer, a large-area disinfector or a container washing system.

[0019] A computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable medium such as semiconductor memory, hard disk memory, or optical memory is also advantageous. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or device, it can be used to carry out, implement, and / or control the steps of one of the methods according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0020] An embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows: Fig. 1 a representation of a clothes dryer with a base element according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 2 a representation of a floor element according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 3 a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for operating a bottom element for a clothes dryer for preventing lint particles according to an embodiment; and Fig. 4 a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for operating a bottom element for a clothes dryer for keeping out lint particles according to an embodiment.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows a representation of a clothes dryer 100 with a base element 102 according to an exemplary embodiment. In addition to the base element 102, the clothes dryer comprises a laundry receiving container 104. The base element 102 includes a wet cyclone 106, an evaporator 108, a condenser 110, a blower 112, and a collection basin 114.

[0022] In the laundry receiving container 104, wet garments are moved by a rotation of the container and dried by a process airflow. This process airflow is typically heated to extract more moisture from the garments. The moisture present in the clothing evaporates as the process air blows through it, absorbing the moisture from the garments. The process air cools down as it absorbs the moisture and becomes humid. This humid process air is then introduced into the wet cyclone 106. In addition to moisture, the process airflow also carries lint particles, i.e., fibers from the garments. These lint particles would adhere to the fins of the heat exchangers and thus clog the clothes dryer 100 over time. To prevent this, the process airflow is set into rapid rotation within the wet cyclone 106.The rotational movement exerts a centrifugal force on the lint particles, forcing them towards an inner wall of the wet cyclone 106. During operation of the tumble dryer 100, this inner wall is moistened by condensate or a liquid (formed, for example, from previously condensed water). This creates a film of moisture on the inner wall of the wet cyclone 106, to which the lint particles adhere. The lint particles compact and are transported by the flowing condensate, the process airflow, and gravity to the collection basin 114 of the base element 102. The lint particles and condensate collect in the basin 114, and the now lint-free process airflow then flows into the evaporator 108. In the evaporator 108, the process air is cooled and partially dehumidified.As a result, the water vapor condenses on the cold surface of the evaporator 108, and the resulting condensate, along with any remaining lint particles, is collected in the collection basin 114. The cold, dehumidified process air then flows into the condenser 110, where it is heated. The heated, dry process air is then directed back into the laundry receiving hopper 104 via the blower 112. The cycle then begins again.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a floor element 102 according to an exemplary embodiment. The floor element 102 is, for example, the one described by Fig. 1 described floor element 102.

[0024] The moist process air 202 enters the wet cyclone 106 from the laundry hopper of the tumble dryer. The wet cyclone 106 is either an integral part of the base element 102 or attached to it. Adjusting the base element 102 accordingly is helpful for this purpose. Within the wet cyclone 106, the moist process air 202 is set into rotation and accelerated, with the acceleration increasing as the wet cyclone cone 204 narrows. During this process, centrifugal force forces the lint particles outwards against an inner wall of the wet cyclone 106. A film of liquid is introduced into the wet cyclone 106 in a circular motion within the wet cyclone cone 204. This liquid film is initially created by a small amount of liquid that the customer is to pour into a condensate container 206. This initial amount is necessary to create a stable liquid film in the wet cyclone 106.Later, the necessary liquid is obtained from the condensate 208. However, the system can also function without the customer adding liquid to the condensate container 206, as the liquid film forms somewhat later on the evaporator 108 from the condensate 208 that is released. This process, however, takes longer.

[0025] After the water is filled into the condensate tank 206, it flows into a wet cyclone tank 210, from where a condensate pump 212 directs it into the wet cyclone 106. There, a film of liquid forms which, upon contact with the lint particles 214, immediately binds them and allows them to drain into the collection basin 114. The collection basin 114 collects all the lint particles 214 and the condensate 208. Since the collection basin 114 is shaped like a drawer, it can be removed for cleaning. During the drying process in the collection basin 114, the condensate 208 is filtered by a lint filter 216 and returned to the wet cyclone tank 210 via a condensate hose 218 by the condensate pump 212. This ensures a continuous water supply to the wet cyclone 106. The filtered process air 202 enters the evaporator 108.The evaporator 108 should be stored horizontally to allow the condensate 208 to drain away against the flow direction of the process air 202.

[0026] This is intended to prevent the last remaining lint particles 214, still bound in the process air 202, from depositing on the fins of the heat exchangers. The condensate 208 thus also enters the collection basin 114, which is reused in the wet cyclone 106 cycle and increases in volume as a result. The excess condensate 208 can be pumped into the condensate tank 206 or into the drain. The valve 220 divides the condensate 208. After the process air 202 has passed through the evaporator 108, it enters the condenser 110, which is positioned vertically. The process air 202 flows through the condenser 110 in a direction opposite to gravity. Here, the process air 202 is heated and then returned to the laundry receiving hopper by the blower 112.At the end of the drying process, the lint particles 214 can be pumped into the condensate container 206 or into the drain. The collection basin 114 can also be used as a drawer for rinsing out the lint.

[0027] Fig. Figure 3 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 300 for operating a bottom element for a clothes dryer for keeping out lint particles according to an embodiment.

[0028] A method 300 for operating a bottom element for a clothes dryer to retain lint particles comprises the following steps. In step 301, a liquid is supplied to a wet cyclone container to form a liquid film on an inner wall of the wet cyclone. In step 303, the liquid is collected in a collection basin. In step 303, the liquid from the evaporator can also be collected in the collection basin. Furthermore, in step 305, the liquid is filtered through a lint filter. Finally, in step 307, the liquid is returned to the wet cyclone container by the condensate pump.

[0029] Fig. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 400 for operating a bottom element for a clothes dryer for keeping out lint particles according to an embodiment.

[0030] A method 400 for operating a bottom element for a clothes dryer to retain lint particles comprises the following steps. In step 401, the process air from the laundry receiving hopper is introduced into the wet cyclone. In a further step 403, the process air is passed from the wet cyclone through the evaporator. Finally, in step 405, the process air is returned to the laundry receiving hopper.

Claims

Base element (102) for a clothes dryer (100) for collecting lint particles (214), wherein the base element (102) has the following features: a wet cyclone (106) for receiving process air (202) from a laundry receiving container (104); and an evaporator (108) which, when installed in the clothes dryer (100), is subjected to process air (202) from the wet cyclone (106) flowing against gravity. Base element (102) according to claim 1, with a condenser (110) which, when installed in the clothes dryer (100), is subjected to process air (202) flowing in a direction deviating from the direction of gravity. Base element (102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wet cyclone (106) is designed to cause the process air (202) to rotate. Base element (102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wet cyclone (106) is configured to form a water film on an inner wall of the wet cyclone (106). Base element (102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the condenser (110) is designed to heat the process air (202) and / or to return it to the laundry receiving container (104) by means of a blower (112). Base element (102) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a collection basin (114) for receiving liquids and / or lint particles (214) from the wet cyclone (106) and / or evaporator (108), in particular wherein the collection basin (114) comprises a lint filter (216). Base element (102) according to claim 6, wherein the collection basin (114) is designed as a removable drawer for cleaning. Base element (102) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a condensate pump (212) is configured to pump the liquid and / or lint particles (214) from the collection basin (114) into a condensate container (206) and / or a drain nozzle. Clothes dryer (100) with a base element (102) according to one of claims 1 to 8. Method (300) for operating a base element (102) for a clothes dryer (100) according to claim 9, wherein the method (300) comprises the following steps: Providing (301) a liquid into a wet cyclone container (210) to form a liquid film on an inner wall side of the wet cyclone (106); Collecting (303) the liquid in a collection basin (114); Filtering (305) the liquid through a lint filter (216); and Returning (307) the liquid to the wet cyclone container (210) via the condensate pump (212). Method (300) according to claim 10, wherein in the collecting step (303) the liquid from the evaporator (108) is also collected in the collection basin (114). Method (400) for operating a base element (102) for a clothes dryer (100) according to claim 9, wherein the method (400) comprises the following steps: Introducing (401) the process air (202) from the laundry receiving container (104) into the wet cyclone (106); Passing (403) the process air (202) from the wet cyclone (106) through the evaporator (108); and Returning (405) the process air (202) to the laundry receiving container (104). Computer program product with program code for carrying out and / or controlling one of the methods (300; 400) according to one of claims 10 to 12, when the computer program product is executed and / or controlled in the clothes dryer (100).

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