Device for drying laundry arranged on a clothes drying rack

Abstract

Device (102) for drying laundry arranged on a clothes drying rack (104), comprising the device (102): • a housing (107) with a bottom (110) and a top (108) opposite the bottom (110); • several spacers (112) on the underside (110) of the housing (107) which, when the device (102) is arranged on a substrate (106), define a distance (112) between the substrate (106) and the underside (110) of the housing (107); • one or more than one axial fan (116), each of which is arranged in an associated opening of the housing (107) and each comprises: ◯ an outer housing (118) and an inner housing (120), which is attached to the outer housing (118) by means of a suspension (122); ◯ a rotor (124); ◯ an electric motor arranged in the inner housing (120) for driving the rotor (124); and ◯ one or more electrical conductors for supplying the electric motor with electrical energy; ◯ wherein the inner housing (120) has a feedthrough opening (126) for passing one or more than one electrical conductor, the feedthrough opening (126) being arranged between rotor blades of the rotor (124) and the underside (110) of the housing (107); and ◯ wherein the rotor blades of the rotor (124) are aligned such that the axial fan (116) in operation generates an airflow from the bottom (110) to the top (108) of the housing (107); • wherein one or more than one axial fan (116) is arranged to be operated at a speed of at least 1900 revolutions per minute.

Description

[0001] Several embodiments relate to a device for drying laundry arranged on a clothes drying rack.

[0002] Traditionally, laundry can be dried using a tumble dryer (e.g., a drum dryer) and / or a clothes drying rack (e.g., a wing drying rack). A tumble dryer, in addition to its higher purchase price, also requires electricity to dry the laundry. In contrast, a clothes drying rack is significantly cheaper and requires no electricity. However, drying laundry on a clothes drying rack takes considerably longer. During this drying time, the drying rack also requires a certain amount of space (e.g., in an apartment). Consequently, both tumble dryers and clothes drying racks have their respective advantages and disadvantages: A clothes drying rack offers significantly lower costs at the expense of a longer drying time.

[0003] The device disclosed herein offers an intermediate solution by significantly reducing drying time in combination with a clothes drying rack, albeit at a slightly higher cost. The device disclosed herein generates an airflow towards the laundry placed on the drying rack. This airflow enables the laundry to dry in a significantly reduced time.

[0004] DE 10 2019 008 415 A1 describes a device for connection to a clothes drying rack, wherein the device has at least one axial fan in a housing, the pressure side of which points towards the laundry to be dried.

[0005] KR 20 0 491 635 Y1 describes a clothes dryer with a warm air blower, whereby the clothes dryer may have a rechargeable battery.

[0006] The object of the invention is to reduce the time required to dry laundry arranged on a clothes drying rack. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] Various embodiments relate to a device for drying laundry arranged on a clothes drying rack, the device comprising: a housing with a bottom and a top opposite the bottom; several spacers on the bottom of the housing, which, when the device is arranged on a surface, define a distance between the surface and the bottom of the housing; one or more axial fans, each of which is arranged in a corresponding opening of the housing and each comprises: an outer housing and an inner housing, which is attached to the outer housing by means of a suspension; a rotor; an electric motor arranged in the inner housing for driving the rotor; and one or more electrical conductors for supplying the electric motor with electrical energy;wherein the inner housing has a through-hole for the passage of one or more electrical conductors, the through-hole being arranged between the rotor blades and the underside of the housing; and wherein the rotor blades are oriented such that the axial fan, when in operation, generates an airflow from the underside to the top of the housing; wherein the one or more axial fans are configured to operate at a speed of at least 1900 revolutions per minute.

[0008] It was recognized that drying laundry arranged on a clothes drying rack using a device placed on a surface (e.g., floor) requires a comparatively large airflow of at least 80 m³ / h. 3 / h is required. To reduce the drying time (i.e., the time it takes to dry the laundry) by at least 50%, an airflow of at least 100 m³ / h is even necessary. 3 / h required. In this context, it was recognized that axial fans (also known as axial blowers) are suitable for generating the airflow. Conventionally, axial fans are used, for example, in computer cases (PCs, laptops, etc.) to cool internal components. However, such conventional axial fans are not suitable for drying laundry on a clothes rack using a device placed on a surface (e.g., the floor). This is because these conventional axial fans do not comply with the household appliance standard DIN EN 60335, as the electrical supply of such an axial fan would be facing the laundry being dried and thus a potential source of moisture (e.g., water).

[0009] In contrast, the one or more axial fans described herein comply with the household appliance standard DIN EN 60335, since the feedthrough opening for the passage of one or more electrical conductors for supplying the electric motor with electrical energy is located between the rotor blades and the underside of the housing and is thus turned away from the laundry to be dried (as a potential source of moisture).

[0010] Numerous materials, such as polyacrylic, polyamide, polyester, elastane, Sympatex, viscose, cashmere, silk, wool, leather, imitation leather, etc., are unsuitable for tumble drying because the elevated temperatures can damage them. For these materials, a clothes drying rack is the only option. The device disclosed herein can also be used for these materials in conjunction with a clothes drying rack, as the generated airflow is not heated and therefore no damage can occur.

[0011] Example 1 is set up according to the device described above for drying laundry arranged on a clothes drying rack.

[0012] Example 2 is set up according to Example 1, with the distance between the surface and the underside of the housing being at least 82 mm. It was observed that if the (minimum) distance of 82 mm is not maintained, the airflow decreases significantly (see also Fig. 2C and related description).

[0013] Example 3 is set up according to Example 1 or 2, wherein the multiple spacers are attached to the underside of the housing; or wherein the housing is a monolithic housing which incorporates the multiple spacers.

[0014] Example 4 is set up according to one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the housing has a first lateral extent (e.g. length) of at least 760 mm in a first direction lateral to the airflow; and / or wherein the housing has a second lateral extent (e.g. width) of at least 500 mm in a second direction lateral to the airflow and perpendicular to the first direction.

[0015] Example 5 is set up according to one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the housing is made of (e.g. a thermoplastic) plastic (e.g. acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ABS, and / or acrylate styrene acrylonitrile, ASA).

[0016] The use of a plastic housing can, for example, significantly reduce the weight of the device. Furthermore, the plastic housing increases the device's durability, as it is not susceptible to corrosion from moisture emitted by laundry, unlike metals and metal alloys.

[0017] Example 6 is set up according to one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the one or more axial fans have at least six axial fans.

[0018] Example 7 is set up according to one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the housing encloses a cavity and has a wall thickness of approximately 3 mm.

[0019] The hollow housing allows for a further reduction in the device's weight. A wall thickness of at least 3 mm also provides mechanical stability, reducing the likelihood of breakage if a user stands, steps, or falls on it. This minimizes (or even prevents) user injury from sharp, broken edges. Consequently, the device's safety is enhanced.

[0020] Example 8 is set up according to one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the device further comprises: a control device for controlling the electric motor (e.g., for controlling the speed of one or more than one axial fan, etc.).

[0021] Example 9 is set up according to Example 8, wherein the device further comprises: a user interface for providing control signals for controlling the control device.

[0022] Example 10 is set up according to Example 8 or 9, wherein the device further comprises: a wireless communication interface for receiving control signals for controlling the control device.

[0023] Example 11 is set up according to one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the housing further comprises a reservoir for antiviral and / or antibacterial substances (and / or mixtures of substances).

[0024] Example 12 is set up according to one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the device further comprises: one or more than one light source for irradiating one or more than one axial fan with ultraviolet light.

[0025] Example 13 is set up according to one of Examples 1 to 12, wherein the device further comprises: a battery (e.g. a rechargeable battery) which is arranged in the housing and is set up to supply the electric motor with electrical energy.

[0026] Example 14 is a system comprising: the device according to one of Examples 1 to 13; and a clothes drying rack arranged above (e.g. on) the device.

[0027] They show Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B each a system consisting of a clothes drying rack and a device for drying laundry arranged on the clothes drying rack according to various embodiments; Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2F different views of the device according to different embodiments; Fig. 2C an airflow generated by the device as a function of a distance to the ground; Fig. 2D and Fig. Figure 2E shows an exemplary axial fan according to various embodiments; and Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 different views of an exemplary design of the device.

[0028] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which form part thereof and in which specific embodiments in which the invention can be implemented are shown for illustration purposes.

[0029] Fig. 1A and Fig. Figure 1B shows a system 100 consisting of a clothes drying rack 104 and a device 102 for drying laundry arranged on the clothes drying rack 104 according to different embodiments.

[0030] Winged clothes drying racks are the most commonly used type of clothes drying rack. Therefore, they show Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B The clothes drying rack 104 is shown by way of example as a wing drying rack. It is understood that this serves for illustration purposes and that the device 102 disclosed herein can also be used in combination with any other type of clothes drying rack (e.g. a tower drying rack) to reduce the drying time of the laundry placed on it.

[0031] According to various aspects, the device 102 can be configured to be placed on a surface (e.g., a floor, for example, in an apartment). In some aspects, the device 102 can be configured such that the clothes drying rack 104 can be placed on the device 102 (see, for example, Fig. 1A). In other aspects, the device 102 can be arranged to be positioned under the clothes drying rack 104 when the latter is placed on the base 106 (see, for example, Fig. 1B).

[0032] Fig. Figure 2A shows an exemplary front view of the device 102 and Fig. Figure 2B shows an exemplary top view of the device 102.

[0033] The device 102 can have a housing 107. The housing 107 can have a top surface 108 and a bottom surface 110 opposite the top surface 108. The housing 107 can be made of, for example, a plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and / or acrylonitrile styrene (ASA). According to various embodiments, the housing 107 can enclose a cavity. In this case, the housing 107 can have a wall thickness of, for example, approximately 3 mm.

[0034] According to various embodiments, the device 102 can have a length (e.g. in the direction of 103) of at least 760 mm and / or a width (e.g. in the direction of 101) of at least 500 mm.

[0035] The device 102 can have several spacers 112 (e.g., feet) on the underside 110 of the housing. When the device 102 is arranged on the base 106, the several spacers 112 can define a distance 114 between the base 106 and the underside 110 of the housing 107. In some embodiments, the several spacers 112 can be attached to the underside 110 of the housing 107. In other embodiments, the housing 107 can be a monolithic housing that incorporates the several spacers 112. Visually, the housing 107 and the several spacers 112 can be monolithically connected to one another.

[0036] According to various aspects, the device 102 can have one or more than one axial fan (also referred to as an axial ventilator) 116. Several figures show the device 102 in an exemplary embodiment with six axial fans. It is understood that this serves for illustrative purposes and that the device 102 can have any number of one or more axial fans.

[0037] Each axial fan 116 can be arranged in a corresponding opening of the housing 107. One or more axial fans 116 can be configured to generate an airflow from the bottom 110 to the top 108 of the housing 107 (e.g., in the direction of 105). Visually, one or more axial fans 116 can be configured to generate an airflow in a direction opposite to the surface 106 (e.g., in the direction of the clothes drying rack 104). Visually, one or more axial fans 116 can draw in air at the bottom 110 of the housing 107 and expel it towards the top 108.

[0038] An airflow, as described herein, can specify a volume of air (also referred to as air quantity) that is moved over a certain period of time by one or more than one axial fan.

[0039] The distance 114 between the base 106 and the underside 110 of the housing 107 is at least 82 mm according to various aspects. In this regard, it shows Fig. 2C an airflow, L, that can be generated by the device 102 in a corresponding configuration, as a function of the distance, a, 114. It was found that the generable airflow decreases exponentially below a distance threshold. Thus, it was found that a minimum distance of a = 82 mm is required to achieve at least 90% of a maximum generable airflow, L max , to reach.

[0040] It was recognized that a maximum achievable airflow, L max , of at least 100 m 3 / h can then be achieved if at least 25% of the top surface 108 of the housing 107 is covered with axial fans 116. As explained herein, the housing 107 can have openings, with each axial fan 116 arranged in a corresponding opening. Consequently, according to various aspects, at least 25% of the surface area of ​​the top surface 108 of the housing 107 can have openings (be open, figuratively speaking), or at most 75% of the surface area of ​​the top surface 108 of the housing 107 can be closed. This can be achieved, for example, in the embodiment described herein by way of example, with at least six axial fans.

[0041] Fig. 2D and Fig. Figure 2E shows an exemplary axial fan 116 according to various embodiments. Here, [the following is shown] Fig. 2D the intake side of the axial fan 116 (i.e. the side which, when used in system 100, faces the substrate 106 and away from the clothes rack 104) and Fig. 2E shows the pressure side of the axial fan 116 (i.e. the side which, when used in system 100, faces away from the substrate 106 and towards the clothes drying rack 104).

[0042] The axial fan 116 can have an outer housing 118. The outer housing 118 can, for example, be attached (e.g., fastened) in the corresponding opening of the housing 107. The axial fan 116 can have an inner housing 120. The inner housing 120 can be attached to the outer housing 118 by means of a suspension (e.g., several struts) 122.

[0043] The axial fan 116 can have a rotor (with several rotor blades) 124. An electric motor can be arranged in the inner housing 120 to drive the rotor (also called impeller or wheel) 124. The rotor blades of the rotor 124 can be oriented such that, when in operation, the axial fan 116 generates the airflow from the bottom 110 to the top 108 of the housing 107.

[0044] In order for the electric motor to drive the rotor 124, a supply of electrical energy to the electric motor may be required. For this purpose, the axial fan 116 may have an interface 128 to which one or more electrical conductors can be connected. Consequently, the axial fan 116 may have one or more electrical conductors. The inner housing 120 may have a feedthrough opening 126 for the passage of one or more electrical conductors. Depending on various aspects, this feedthrough opening 126 is arranged between the rotor blades of the rotor 124 and the underside 110 of the housing 107. In this way, the feedthrough opening 126 is located on the side of the axial fan 116 facing away from the laundry arranged on the clothes rack 104, so that, for example, water dripping from the laundry cannot penetrate the electronics.

[0045] Optionally, each axial fan 116 can be fitted with a protective grille (e.g., a wire mesh cover) to prevent objects from becoming entangled in the rotor blades (e.g., falling, getting stuck, etc.). This is exemplified in Fig. 2F is shown.

[0046] Depending on various aspects, the device 102 can include a control device. The control device can be configured to control the respective electric motor of each axial fan 116. For example, the speed of the axial fan 116 can be controlled by means of the control device. It is understood that a change in speed from a value other than 0 to a value equal to 0 can switch the device 102 off, and that a change in speed from a value equal to 0 to a value other than 0 can switch the device 102 on. The fan speed can represent a fan velocity.

[0047] A "control device," as used herein, can be understood as any type of entity (e.g., implementing logic) that permits the processing of data or signals. The control device may, for example, comprise circuitry and / or (at least) a processor capable of executing software stored in a storage device (in some aspects also referred to as a storage medium), in firmware, or in a combination thereof, and issuing instructions based on that software. The control device may, for example, be configured by means of code segments (e.g., software) to control the operation of a system. For instance, the data or signals may be processed according to at least one (i.e., one or more than one) specific function executed by the processor.A processor may be an analog circuit, a digital circuit, a mixed-signal circuit, a logic circuit, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable logic gate array (FPGA), an integrated circuit, or any combination thereof. Any other type of implementation of the respective functions described in detail herein may also be understood as a processor or logic circuit. It is understood that one or more of the procedure steps described in detail herein may be executed (i.e., implemented) by a processor through one or more specific functions performed by the processor. The processor may therefore be configured to perform one of the procedures described herein or its components for information processing.

[0048] The device 102 can have a user interface. The user interface can be configured to receive input from a user and to provide a control signal to the control device (for controlling the axial fans 116) according to the user's input. The user interface can allow the speed of each axial fan 116 to be set. For example, the user interface can allow one of several stages to be set, with each stage being assigned a specific speed of one or more axial fans 116. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, a first stage, to which a speed of approximately 2000 rpm is assigned, or a second stage, to which a speed of approximately 1500 rpm is assigned, can be set.If the device 102 has several axial fans 116, these can be operated at essentially the same speed in each stage. The speed of an axial fan 116 can be adjusted directly (e.g., by setting the speed) and / or indirectly (e.g., by setting fan speed levels, noise levels, etc.).

[0049] An input received via the user interface could, for example, be a timer setting for device 102 (e.g., using a timer switch). In this way, an operating time until shutdown can be defined. Optionally, a maximum speed of the axial fans that depends on the time of day can be defined (e.g., to reduce noise at night).

[0050] Depending on various embodiments, the device 102 can have a wireless communication interface. The wireless communication interface can be configured or communicate according to one or more radio communication protocols or standards. For example, the wireless communication interface can be configured or communicate according to a short-range radio communication standard, such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. The wireless interface can be configured or communicate according to a medium- or long-range radio communication standard, such as 3G, 4G, and / or 5G according to the 3GPP standard. The wireless communication interface can operate according to a local area wireless network (WLAN) protocol or standard, such as the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0051] The wireless communication interface can be configured to receive control signals for controlling the control device. In this way, the device 102 can be controlled, for example, by means of a user device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a smartwatch, a laptop, etc.).

[0052] Optionally, the housing 107 can have one or more receptacles for receiving (at least) one air freshener between an axial fan 116 and the top 108 of the housing 107.

[0053] Housing 107 may contain a reservoir for antiviral and / or antibacterial substances (and / or mixtures of substances).

[0054] Optionally, the device 102 can have one or more light sources for irradiating one or more axial fans 116 with ultraviolet light.

[0055] Optionally, the device 102 can include a battery (e.g., a rechargeable battery) which is arranged in the housing and is configured to supply electrical energy to the respective electric motor of each axial fan 116.

[0056] Fig. 3 to Fig. Figure 6 shows different views of an exemplary embodiment of the device 102 with six axial fans 116. Fig. Figure 3 shows a side view 302, a bottom view 304 (of the underside 110 of the housing 107), a front view 306, and a top view 308 (of the top 108 of the housing 107). Fig. Figure 4 shows a sectional view 400 of the device 102 with a (scale 1:2) highlighted section 402, which shows an axial fan 116. Fig. Figure 5 shows a top view 500 of the device 102 and various sectional views 502, 504, 506 (at a scale of 1:4) in the direction of 103. Fig.Figure 6 shows a top view 600 of the device 102 and various sectional views 602, 604, 606 (at a scale of 1:4) in the direction of 101.

[0057] With this configuration (using six axial fans), the drying time (i.e., the time it takes to dry the laundry) can be reduced by approximately 50%. Furthermore, this configuration has an electrical power consumption of less than 20 watts. This results in an energy consumption of approximately 0.14 kWh per drying cycle (i.e., for drying one set of laundry arranged on the drying rack). This is significantly lower than the energy consumption of conventional tumble dryers. For example, a heat pump dryer requires approximately 1.62 kWh per drying cycle.

[0058] Furthermore, the device 102 described herein is significantly quieter than a clothes dryer, since the sound pressure level (also referred to as noise level) of the device 102 is only about 50dB even at a speed of the axial fans of approximately 2000 rpm (revolutions per minute).

Claims

[1] Device (102) for drying laundry arranged on a clothes drying rack (104), comprising the device (102): • a housing (107) with a bottom (110) and a top (108) opposite the bottom (110); • several spacers (112) on the underside (110) of the housing (107) which, when the device (102) is arranged on a substrate (106), define a distance (112) between the substrate (106) and the underside (110) of the housing (107); • one or more than one axial fan (116), each of which is arranged in an associated opening of the housing (107) and each comprises: ◯ an outer housing (118) and an inner housing (120), which is attached to the outer housing (118) by means of a suspension (122); ◯ a rotor (124); ◯ an electric motor arranged in the inner housing (120) for driving the rotor (124); and ◯ one or more electrical conductors for supplying the electric motor with electrical energy; ◯ wherein the inner housing (120) has a feedthrough opening (126) for passing one or more than one electrical conductor, the feedthrough opening (126) being arranged between rotor blades of the rotor (124) and the underside (110) of the housing (107); and ◯ wherein the rotor blades of the rotor (124) are aligned such that the axial fan (116) in operation generates an airflow from the bottom (110) to the top (108) of the housing (107); • wherein one or more than one axial fan (116) is arranged to be operated at a speed of at least 1900 revolutions per minute. [2] Device (102) according to claim 1, wherein the distance (112) between the substrate (106) and the underside (110) of the housing (107) is at least 82 mm. [3] Device (102) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (107) has a first lateral extension of at least 760 mm in a first direction (103) lateral to the airflow; and / or wherein the housing has a second lateral extension of at least 500 mm in a second direction (101) lateral to the airflow and perpendicular to the first direction (103). [4] Device (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing (107) is made of plastic. [5] Device (102) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more than one axial fan (116) has at least six axial fans. [6] Device (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: • a control device for controlling the electric motor. [7] Device (102) according to claim 6, further comprising: • a user interface for providing control signals to control the control device. [8] Device (102) according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising: • A wireless communication interface for receiving control signals to control the control device. [9] Device (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: • a battery that is located inside the housing and is designed to supply the electric motor with electrical energy.

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