Programmable tumble dryer

Abstract

A program-controlled tumble dryer with a control device (19) and with an operating and display device (18) and with a treatment chamber (2) for receiving laundry and with a loading opening (4) that can be closed by a door (5), with a process air blower (6) and a heating device (7) for generating a process air flow and with an air duct (8) for guiding the process air flow into the treatment chamber (2), wherein a receptacle for a lint filter device (10) is formed in the air duct (8, 8.1) in the region of the loading opening (4), and wherein the lint filter device (10) has a cover (10.1) which closes the receptacle in the air duct (8, 8.1) and is designed as a support for at least one sieve level (10.2) projecting into the air duct, and wherein the cover (10.1) a first closable opening (11) is formed, into which a container (12) with a treatment agent for the process air flow guided over the sieve plane can be inserted, characterized in that at least one further opening (14) is arranged in the cover (10.1), which is designed to receive a container (15) with treatment agent, wherein the further opening (14) is arranged approximately mirror-symmetrically to the first opening (11) in order to guide the process air flow guided through the lint filter device (10) approximately evenly over both inserted containers (12, 14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a program-controlled clothes dryer with a control unit, an operating and display device, and a treatment chamber for receiving laundry with a loading opening closable by a door, a process air blower and a heating device for generating a process airflow, and an air duct for guiding the process airflow into the treatment chamber, wherein a receptacle for a lint filter device is formed in the air duct in the area of ​​the loading opening, and wherein the lint filter device has a cover that closes the receptacle in the air duct and is designed as a support for at least one sieve plane projecting into the air duct, and wherein a first closable opening is formed in the cover into which a container with a treatment agent for the airflow guided over the sieve plane can be inserted.

[0002] From EP 2 669 423 B1, such a tumble dryer is known with a lint filter device that can be inserted into the air duct and which has an opening in its front cover for a container for receiving and dispensing a fragrance. The opening can be closed by means of a locking device. This seals the air duct airtight when the container is not inserted.

[0003] A container for receiving and dispensing a fragrance for use in such a tumble dryer is known from EP 2 657 391 A1. The container can be latched into the opening of the lint filter assembly and has a fragrance dispensing opening. The intensity of the fragrance dispensing can be variably adjusted by the user by means of a closing element of the container that covers the fragrance dispensing opening and is moved from a closed position to a fragrance dispensing position. The fragrance is transferred into the treatment chamber or into the washing drum by the process airflow passing over the lint filter assembly.

[0004] Users of these types of tumble dryers have the option of using containers with different fragrances. Changing the fragrance requires replacing the container. Adjusting the fragrance release is only possible by changing the intensity of the fragrance release opening.

[0005] Document DE 299 22 439 U1 discloses a clothes dryer with a filter compartment in the door. This clothes dryer further includes a dosing device that can dispense a liquid additive directly into the treatment compartment.

[0006] Document DE 10 2005 055 180 A1 discloses a filter element to which a plate-shaped, perforated activated carbon container is connected upstream. In this system, all process air is conveyed through the activated carbon container.

[0007] From EP 2 273 005 A2 a tumble dryer with an air duct and a lint filter device arranged therein as described above is known.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of improving a tumble dryer with regard to the treatment of laundry with treatment agents.

[0009] According to the invention, this problem is solved, among other things, by a program-controlled clothes dryer with the features of independent claim 1 and by a container according to claim 7. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the respective dependent claims.

[0010] One advantage achievable with the invention is that the user is given the opportunity to adapt the laundry treatment to individual requirements by means of a further opening for receiving another container with a treatment agent.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the second opening is arranged approximately symmetrically to the first opening. This ensures that the process airflow passing through the lint filter device is distributed almost uniformly across the containers.

[0012] In a further, preferred embodiment, the openings are designed and arranged to each accommodate a container for dispensing a fragrance agent and / or a container with a treatment agent for actively treating the process air stream.

[0013] For example, a second fragrance variation can be introduced into the air duct, the intensity of which can be individually adjusted by selecting the respective opening position of the container. Users have the option of introducing a first or second fragrance variation into the treatment room by opening or closing the container accordingly. Alternatively, the fragrance variations can be mixed by individually selecting the opening positions and cross-sections of the fragrance dispensing openings of the respective container. As an alternative to fragrance treatment, containers with a treatment agent can be used for the active treatment of the process airflow. Users can, for example, use containers with an activated carbon insert to remove odors from the process airflow and vary the intensity of the treatment by adjusting the number of containers and the respective opening cross-sections.

[0014] Alternatively, a container with fragrance can be inserted into one opening, and a container with a treatment agent for actively treating the process airflow can be inserted into another opening. This allows users to choose between adding fragrance and eliminating odors by opening or closing the respective containers.

[0015] In a further, overall preferred embodiment, the openings are each designed to be closed by means of a closing device when the container is not inserted, thus enabling users to carry out a laundry treatment process without the use of a container with treatment agent or with only one container inserted.

[0016] In a practical design, the operating and display device is configured to show or identify various selectable treatment agents. This allows users to clearly display the selected containers for the subsequent drying processes, even when the loading door is closed and the container is not visible. Input devices that communicate with the control unit to execute a laundry treatment process are particularly advantageous. This ensures that only those drying processes relevant to the selected and used treatment agent are enabled.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to activate and deactivate actuators and is configured and programmed to carry out a laundry treatment process depending on the type of treatment agent. This is particularly advantageous if, for example, users have selected and used activated carbon as the treatment agent, and a corresponding odor removal program can then be automatically selected or executed.

[0018] In a beneficial advanced system, the process airflow can be adjusted with respect to temperature and / or volume flow for laundry treatment processes, depending on the treatment agent. This allows for versatile customization options to optimize laundry treatment processes. The settings can be adjusted manually by the user or programmatically.

[0019] In the container according to the invention, which has a cylindrical inner container and an outer casing arranged concentrically to it, it can be advantageous for the inner container to serve as a support for an activated carbon insert. This allows users to actively treat the process airflow as an alternative to adding fragrance and to absorb odors from the laundry during the drying process. The design of the inner container as a support allows for easy replacement of the activated carbon insert. Depending on availability, it is also possible to use various advantageous designs of the activated carbon insert, such as a block-shaped body with internal flow channels, an open-pore foam body, or a loose material embedded in a mesh structure. The internal flow channels of the block-shaped body are preferably oriented in the direction of the process airflow.The small flow channels achieve a large surface area with minimal flow loss.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment, the inner container has at least one second opening opposite the first opening, and the outer casing has at least one corresponding second recess which, in the at least partially open position, allows a flow path through the activated carbon insert. This ensures that the process airflow can not only flow around the container but also that a portion of the process air is guided through the container, which advantageously results in more effective odor removal.

[0021] A laundry treatment process can also refer to a process for treating shoes. A treatment chamber can be a rotating washing drum mounted in a housing or a drying cabinet. The laundry items, textiles, or shoes to be treated can be held and secured for the treatment process in suitable fixtures such as basket inserts or clamping elements.

[0022] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Fig. 1. A tumble dryer in side view, section view, Fig. 2 a lint filter device in accordance with the state of the art, Fig. 3 an embodiment of the lint filter device according to the invention, with inserted containers for treatment agents, Fig. 4. A further illustration of the lint filter system and the allocation of various containers with treatment agents, Fig. 5 a top view of the lint filter assembly with container, Fig. 6 a container according to the invention with an activated carbon insert.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 shows a program-controlled tumble dryer with relevant components for carrying out a drying process or laundry treatment process in a side view in section.

[0024] The program-controlled clothes dryer consists of a housing 1 and a rotatably mounted washing drum serving as a treatment chamber 2 for receiving laundry 3. The housing 1 is provided with a loading opening 4, behind which lies the filling opening of the washing drum or treatment chamber 2 (not further specified). The clothes dryer has a door 5 that closes the loading opening 4. Furthermore, the clothes dryer has a process air blower 6 and a heating element 7, which serve to generate a warm process airflow for drying the laundry. The process airflow is guided through an air duct 8 that encloses the treatment chamber 2. The heated process air is directed into the treatment chamber 2 at the rear 9 and absorbs the moisture from the laundry. With the door 5 locked, the process air then flows through an air duct section 8.1 between treatment chamber 2 and housing 1 at the edge of the loading opening 4. A lint filter device 10 is installed here, which is located in the . Fig. 2 is shown in more detail. The lint filter assembly 10 occupies a portion of the cross-sectional area of ​​the feed opening 4. The lint filter assembly 10 has a cover that closes the opening in the air duct or the air duct section 8.1 towards the front of the housing 1 and serves as a support for at least one sieve plane 10.2 projecting into the air duct 8. Fig. Figure 2 shows such a lint filter device 10, which is known from the prior art, as a single component. A first closable opening 11 is formed in the cover 10.1, into which a container with a treatment agent for the process airflow guided over the sieve level 10.2 can be inserted. The lint filter device 10 has a further sieve level 10.3, which is Fig. 5 is more easily recognizable and is arranged approximately perpendicular to the sieve plane 10.2 on the support structure 10.4 of the lint filter device 10. This sieve plane 10.3 runs at a distance and approximately parallel to the front cover 10.1 and shields a container 12 inserted into the opening 11 from the lint carried in the process airflow.

[0025] The further construction of the lint filter assembly 10 and its arrangement in the process air flow path are known from EP 2 273 005 A2 and are therefore not described in detail here. The construction of the container 12 and its fastening in the opening 11 are known from European patent application EP 2 657 391 A1 and are therefore not described in detail here.

[0026] After passing through the lint filter unit 10, the process air passes through a heat exchanger unit 13, where it is cooled and dehumidified, and then reheated via a heating element 7 in the air duct 8. Alternatively, a heat pump unit can be located at the same point, which cools and dehumidifies the process air stream in an evaporator and reheats it in a condenser in a known manner. Additionally, a heating element 7 located in the air duct 8 can be operated as an auxiliary heating unit, depending on the program. Alternatively, direct heating of the washing drum or the treatment chamber 2 is also possible. The heating element directly associated with the treatment chamber (not shown in detail) can be designed as a radiant heating element or an induction heating element.

[0027] Fig. Figure 3 shows a lint filter device 10 according to the invention with a further opening 14, which is designed to receive a second container 15 with a treatment agent. The further opening 14 is arranged approximately symmetrically to the first opening 11.

[0028] Fig. Figure 4 shows a variation of the openings 11, 14 for use with containers 12, 15 containing different treatment agents. In the embodiment shown here, the opening 11 is designed to receive a container 12 for dispensing a fragrance into the process air stream. The opening 14 is designed to receive a container 15 with a treatment agent for the active treatment of the process air stream. For the active treatment of the process air stream, an activated carbon insert 15.1 can be used, which is Fig. Figure 6 shows that both openings 11 and 14 can be closed by closure devices 16 (not described in detail), so that the lint filter device 10 remains functional even when containers 12 or 15 are not used. The intensity of the fragrance addition or the active treatment of the process airflow can be determined by the respective opening position by rotating the respective container 12 or 15 in its respective opening 11 or 14 in the direction of arrow 17.

[0029] Fig. Figure 6 shows a container 15 with an activated carbon insert for the active treatment of the process air stream. The geometric design of the container essentially corresponds to the design of a container 12 for receiving and releasing a fragrance, as already described in EP 2 657 391 A1. The container 15 comprises a cylindrical inner container 15.2 with a closable opening and an annular outer housing 15.3 arranged concentrically to the inner container 15.2. The outer housing 15.3 is rotatably mounted around the inner container 15.2, and its outer surface 15.4 covers the opening 15.5 of the inner container 15.2 in a closed position. The outer surface 15.4 has a recess 15.6 that at least partially exposes the opening 15.5 depending on the rotational position of the outer housing 15.3. The inner container 15.2 serves as a support for the activated carbon insert 15.1. In the embodiment shown here, the activated carbon insert is 15.1 is designed as a block-shaped body and has internal flow channels 15.1.1 through which the process airflow can be guided. To optimally guide the process airflow through the container 15, the inner container 15 has a further opening located opposite the first opening 15.5 on the cylindrical surface of the inner container 15.2. The surface 15.4 of the outer housing 15.3 has a corresponding second recess. Depending on the opening position, a flow path is thus enabled via the flow channels 15.1.1 of the activated carbon insert 15.1.

[0030] In another embodiment, the activated carbon insert 15.1 can be designed as an open-pored foam body or as a loose fill embedded in a network structure. The activated carbon insert 15.1 can be detachably connected to the inner container 15.2, allowing for a change of the treatment agent used. The container (15) described here is also available in the Fig. The lint filter device 10 shown in Figure 2 can be used with only one opening 11. Thus, with the container (15) according to claim 8, a laundry treatment process for odor removal can be carried out in an existing device in a simple manner.

[0031] Fig.Figure 1 shows that the program-controlled tumble dryer includes an operating and display device 18, which is designed to display or identify various selectable treatment agents. For this purpose, input means 18.1 are provided, which can be in signal-exchanging communication with the control unit 19 to carry out a laundry treatment process. The type of treatment agent selected via the input means 18.1 can be displayed via display elements 18.2, such as a display.

[0032] The control unit is also designed to activate and deactivate actuators and is configured and programmed to carry out a laundry treatment process depending on the type of treatment agent. Thus, a laundry treatment process adapted to a specific treatment agent can be implemented. For example, the process airflow can be adjusted in terms of temperature and / or volume flow for the laundry treatment process depending on the treatment agent. If activated carbon is selected as the treatment agent, the process air temperature can be increased during the laundry treatment process compared to a normal drying process. This temperature increase can be achieved, for example, by program-dependent activation / deactivation of a heating element or auxiliary heating element. This can also be advantageous if an impregnating agent is selected and used as the treatment agent.To improve a tumble dryer with regard to the treatment of laundry with treatment agents, it can be equipped with such a control unit. Reference symbol list 1 case 2 treatment rooms 3 washes 4 Feed opening 5 door 6 process air blowers 7 Heating system 8 air duct 8.1 Air duct section 9 Rear area 10 fluff filter unit 10.1 Coverage 10.2 Sieve level 10.3 further sieve level 10.4 Supporting structure 11 Opening 12 containers 13 Heat exchanger unit 14 more openings 15 additional containers 15.1 Activated carbon use 15.1.1 Flow channel 15.2 Inner container 15.3 annular outer casing 15.4 Surface area 15.5 Opening 15.6 Recess 16 Locking device 17 Arrow direction 18 Operating and display device 18.1 Input devices Display elements 19 Control unit

Claims

[1] Program-controlled tumble dryer with a control unit (19), an operating and display device (18), and a treatment chamber (2) for receiving laundry, with a loading opening (4) closable by a door (5), with a process air blower (6) and a heating device (7) for generating a process air flow, and with an air duct (8) for guiding the process air flow into the treatment chamber (2), wherein a receptacle for a lint filter device (10) is formed in the air duct (8, 8.1) in the area of ​​the loading opening (4), and wherein the lint filter device (10) has a cover (10.1) which closes the receptacle in the air duct (8, 8.1) and is designed as a support for at least one sieve plane (10.2) projecting into the air duct, and wherein the cover (10.1) a first closable opening (11) is formed into which a container (12) with a treatment agent can be inserted for the process airflow guided over the sieve plane, . characterized by , that in the cover (10.1) at least one further opening (14) is arranged which is designed to receive a container (15) with treatment agent, wherein the further opening (14) is arranged approximately symmetrically to the first opening (11) in order to direct the process airflow guided through the lint filter device (10) approximately uniformly over both containers (12, 14) used. [2] Program-controlled tumble dryer according to claim 1, characterized by , that the openings (11, 14) are designed and arranged to each accommodate a container (12, 15) for dispensing a fragrance agent and / or a container (15) with a treatment agent for actively treating the process air stream. [3] Program-controlled tumble dryer according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the openings (11, 14) are each designed to be closed by means of a closing device (16) when the container (12, 15) is not inserted. [4] Program-controlled tumble dryer according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the operating and display device (18) is designed to display or indicate various selectable treatment means and / or is equipped with input means (18.1) which are in signal-exchanging communication with the control device (19) for carrying out a laundry treatment process. [5] Program-controlled tumble dryer according to claim 4, characterized by , that the control unit (19) is designed to activate and deactivate actuators and is set up and programmed to carry out a laundry treatment process depending on the type of treatment agent. [6] Program-controlled tumble dryer according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the process airflow is adjustable with regard to temperature and / or volume flow for carrying out a laundry treatment process depending on the treatment agent. [7] Container (15) with a treatment agent for use in a program-controlled tumble dryer according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a cylindrical inner container (15.2) with a closable opening (15.5) for receiving a treatment agent and an annular outer housing (15.3) arranged concentrically to the inner container (15.2), which is rotatably mounted around the inner container (15.2) and whose outer surface (15.4) covers the opening (15.5) of the inner container (15.2) in a closed position, wherein the outer surface (15.4) has a recess (15.6) which at least partially exposes the opening (15.5) depending on the rotational position of the outer housing (15.3), characterized by, that the inner container (15.2) is designed as a support body for an activated carbon insert (15.1). [8] Container according to claim 7, characterized by , that the activated carbon insert (15.1) is designed as a block-shaped body with internal flow channels. [9] Container according to claim 7, characterized by , that the activated carbon insert (15.1) is designed as an open-pore foam body. [10] Container according to claim 7, characterized by , that the activated carbon insert (15.1) is designed as a loose bed embedded in a network structure. [11] Container according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized by , that the inner container (15.2) has at least one second opening opposite the first opening (15.5) and that the outer casing (15.3) has at least one corresponding second recess (15.6) which, in the at least partially open position, allows a flow path through the activated carbon insert (15.1).

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