A dryer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dryer (1) comprising a body (2), a drum (3) wherein the laundry to be dried is loaded; a housing (4) which is provided on the body (2); a condenser (5) which dehumidifies the drying air; and a collection tank (7) which is connected to the condenser (5) by means of a condensate line (6), which is detachably placed into a housing (4) and wherein the condensate from the condensate line (6) is collected.

Description

[0001] A DRYER

[0002] The present invention relates to a dryer comprising a collection tank wherein excessive condensate formed during the drying cycle is collected.

[0003] During the drying cycle, the water evaporated from the laundry and condensed in the heat exchanger is collected in a collection tank in the form of a drawer, which is detachably placed in a housing on the dryer. The collection tank, which is filled after a certain cycle, is removed from the housing by the user, and after the condensate therein is emptied, and is placed back in the housing. Especially in dryers with high drying capacity, it is necessary to increase the volume wherein the condensate is collected such that the condensate collected in the collection tank during the drying cycle can be collected without overflowing. However, when the volume of the tank is increased, the location of the tank housing in the dryer is required to be changed due to the low volume in the body. This makes it difficult for the user to access the tank, thus causing user dissatisfaction. In another state of the art embodiment, some of the water collected in the collection tank is transferred to a different location in the body, for example, to a second tank placed under the drum, which provides an additional collection volume, and is collected in the second tank. However, in order to empty the water in the second tank, it is necessary to build a separate housing on the body or to provide the connection of the second tank to a discharge line.

[0004] In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP3267144, a dryer is disclosed, comprising a drawer-like receptacle wherein the condensate formed during the drying process is collected.

[0005] In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP2586904, a dryer is disclosed, comprising a first water storage tank wherein the condensate formed during the drying process is collected, a second water storage tank which has a capacity larger than the capacity of the first water storage tank and which is connected to the first water storage tank, and a discharge line which enables the water collected in the second water storage tank to be discharged. The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dryer wherein the amount of condensate collected is increased and the condensate collected is easily emptied.

[0006] The dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a collection tank which is detachably placed into a housing on the body and wherein the condensate from the condenser is collected; an additional tank which receives some of the water collected in the collection tank by means of a delivery line, which is connected to the collection tank so as to be moved together with the collection tank in the housing by means of at least one actuation member, which is aligned with the collection tank so as to be taken out of the housing together with the collection tank by shifting from a first position wherein the additional tank remains under the collection tank to a second position wherein the additional tank remains behind the collection tank when the collection tank is pulled out of the housing, and which returns from the second position to the first position when the collection tank is pushed into the housing; and at least one guiding member which is provided on the housing and which guides the movement of the additional tank while shifting from the first position to the second position while the collection tank is pulled out of the housing and from the second position to the first position while the collection tank is pushed into the housing. Thus, the additional tank is kept under the collection tank in the body and can be taken out of the housing together with the collection tank. Consequently, the additional tank can be taken out of the body together with the collection tank without the need for configuring a separate housing on the body, and the condensate therein can be discharged.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation member comprises a first casing, one end of which is hinged to the collection tank, and a second casing, one end of which is hinged to the additional tank, which are connected to each other by a spring so as to move in the same movement axis within each other. Thus, the first casing and the second casing rotatably connect the collection tank and the additional tank on the horizontal axis perpendicular to the spring axis and enable both to move relative to each other in the spring axis. As the angle between the movement axis of the spring and the horizontal axis changes, the additional tank is enabled to move towards the collection tank in both horizontal and vertical directions. Moreover, the spnng connecting the first casing and the second casing acts as a suspension such that the additional tank does not hit the walls of the housing hard while shifting from the second position to the first position.

[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, the guiding member comprises a pin which is provided on the additional tank and a ramp which is provided on the housing, which extends at an angle with respect to the movement direction of the collection tank in the housing and which, as the pin slides thereon, guides the additional tank between the first position and the second position. Thus, by means of the pin and the ramp, the movement of the additional tank between the first position and the second position is facilitated, making the placement thereof in the housing easier, while the additional tank is prevented from hitting the walls of the housing hard while shifting from the second position to the first position and is enabled to be smoothly seated into the housing.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, on the base of the housing, a support is provided, at least part of which extends vertically in an inclined manner so as to be angled with respect to the movement direction of the collection tank in the housing, and against which the additional tank bears during the movement thereof between the first and second positions. By means of the inclined support, the additional tank is enabled to be supported during the movement thereof.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, on the collection tank, a recess is provided, wherein the additional tank is seated in the second position. Thus, the collection tank and the additional tank are removed from the housing as fixed to each other, providing ease of use to the customer.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the delivery line comprises a bellows hose. Thus, the bellows hose lengthens and shortens as the positions of the collection tank and the additional tank in the housing change relative to each other, ensuring the continuity of the transmission of the condensate between the collection tank and the additional tank throughout the movement.

[0012] By means of the present invention, the amount of water collected in a drying cycle is increased thanks to the additional tank provided in the housing. Moreover, a dryer is realized, wherein the collected condensate can be easily discharged by means of the collection tank and the additional tank, which are connected to each other, which are placed in the housing and which can be taken out together.

[0013] The dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0014] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of the dryer related to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 - is the sideways view of the collection tank and the housing when the collection tank is in the housing related to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 - is the sideways cross-sectional view of the housing, the collection tank, the delivery line, the actuation member and the additional tank when the collection tank is in the housing related to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 - is the cross-sectional view of the actuation member related to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 - is the perspective view of the housing and the collection tank related to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 6 - is the cross-sectional view of the collection tank, the additional tank, the housing and the guiding member related to another embodiment of the present invention

[0020] Figure 7 - is the sideways cross-sectional view of the housing, the additional tank and the collection tank when the additional tank is in the first position related to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 8 - is the sideways cross-sectional view of the housing, the additional tank and the collection tank while the collection tank is being pulled out of the housing related to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 9 - is the sideways cross-sectional view of the housing, the additional tank and the collection tank when the additional tank is in the second position related to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows: 1. Dryer

[0024] 2. Body

[0025] 3. Drum

[0026] 4. Housing

[0027] 5. Condenser

[0028] 6. Condensate line

[0029] 7. Collection tank

[0030] 8. Delivery line

[0031] 9. Actuation member

[0032] 10. Additional tank

[0033] 11. First casing

[0034] 12. Second casing

[0035] 13. Spring

[0036] 14. Guiding member

[0037] 15. Pin

[0038] 16. Ramp

[0039] 17. Support

[0040] The dryer (1) comprises a body (2), a drum (3) wherein the laundry to be dried is loaded; a housing (4) which is provided on the body (2); a condenser (5) which dehumidifies the drying air; and a collection tank (7) which is connected to the condenser (5) by means of a condensate line (6), which is detachably placed into a housing (4) and wherein the condensate from the condensate line (6) is collected.

[0041] The dryer (1) of the present invention comprises an additional tank (10) which receives some of the water collected in the collection tank (7) by means of a delivery line (8), which is connected to the collection tank (7) so as to be moved together with the collection tank (7) by means of at least one actuation member (9) and which has a first position wherein the additional tank ( 10) remains under the collection tank (7) when the collection tank (7) is in the housing (4) and a second position wherein the additional tank ( 10) remains behind the collection tank (7) when the collection tank (7) is at least partially taken out of the housing (4); and at least one guiding member (14) which is provided on the housing (4) and which guides the movement of the additional tank (10) between the first position and the second position. When the additional tank (10) is in the first position, the water collected in the collection tank (7) is transferred to the additional tank (10) through the delivery line (8) by the effect of gravity. After the additional tank (10) is filled, the collection tank (7) continues to fill. When the user starts to pull the collection tank (7), which is filled with condensate, out of the housing (4), the additional tank (10) starts to move by means of the actuation member (9). The guiding member (14) guides the movement of the additional tank (10) in the housing (4) so as to enable the same to shift to the second position. In the second position, the additional tank (10) is aligned with the collection tank (7) so as to be taken out of the housing (4) together with the collection tank (7). When the collection tank (7) and the additional tank (10) are placed into the housing (4) after the condensate in the collection tank (7) and the additional tank (10) is emptied, the additional tank (10) is in the second position, and as the collection tank (7) is pushed into the housing (4), the additional tank (10) is guided from the second position to the first position by means of the guiding member (14). When the collection tank (7) is completely pushed into the housing (4), the additional tank (10) is in the first position in the housing (4). Thus, without changing the outer dimensions of the housing (4) in the body (2), the outer dimensions of the dryer (1) and the position of the housing (4) in the body (2), more condensate can be collected in a single cycle by means of the additional tank (10) provided in the housing (4).

[0042] In an embodiment of the invention, the actuation member (9) comprises a first casing (11) which is rotatably connected to the collection tank (7), a second casing (12) which is rotatably connected to the additional tank (10), and a spring (13) which connects the first casing (11) and the second casing (12) to each other. The first casing (11) and the second casing (12) are connected to the collection tank (7) and the additional tank (10), respectively, so as to rotate around a rotational axis perpendicular to the movement of the collection tank (7) in the housing (4). When the collection tank (7) is slightly taken out of the housing (4) as the additional tank (10) is in the first position, the spring (13) is stretched by the movement of the first casing (11) in the second casing (12), When the collection tank (7) is pulled out of the housing (4) a little more, the spring (13) reaches the tension limit size and pulls in an accelerated manner the additional tank (10) from the first position to the second position in the direction of the guide by means of the second casing (12) to which the additional tank ( 10) is attached. While the additional tank (10) shifts from the second position to the first position by sliding on the guiding member (14) and moving downwards with the effect of gravity, the spring (13) stretches a little and slows the shifting speed of the additional tank (10) to the second position. Thus, while the collection tank (7) is being taken out of the housing (4), the additional tank (10) is enabled to shift from the first position to the second position in an accelerated manner, and is prevented from hitting the housing (4) hard by providing a suspension effect while shifting from the second position to the first position.

[0043] In another embodiment of the present invention, the guiding member (14) has at least one pin (15) which is provided on the additional tank (10), and at least one ramp (16) which is provided on the housing (4), which extends at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane, and whereon the pin (15) slides during the movement of the additional tank (10) between the first position and the second position. The pin (15) is in the form of a protrusion provided on the additional tank (10). The ramp (16) is in the form of a protrusion on the side wall of the housing (4) so as to allow the sliding movement of the pin (15) thereon, and extends vertically in an inclined manner. Thus, the additional tank (10) is guided along the ramp (16) between the first and second positions, and the movement of the additional tank (10) in the housing (4) is facilitated.

[0044] In another embodiment of the present invention, on the housing (4), at least one support (17) is provided, which extends vertically in an inclined manner and against which the additional tank (10) bears during the movement thereof between the first position and the second position. The housing (4) is in the form of an open box which is positioned at the front side of the body (2) and which has an upper wall, a lower wall, and vertical walls extending between the upper wall and the lower wall so as to enable the collection tank (7) and the additional tank (10) to be placed therein and removed therefrom. The support (17) is configured in the form of an inclined surface on the lower wall of the housing (4). The front edge of the additional tank 10 bears against the support (17) during the movement thereof between the first position and the second position. The support (17) supports the additional tank (10) and prevents the same from tilting forward and ensures the correct acceleration of the additional tank (10) together with the collection tank (7).

[0045] In another embodiment of the present invention, on the collection tank (7), a recess is provided, wherein the additional tank (10) is seated in the second position. When the additional tank (10) is in the second position, the spring (13) on the actuation member (9) compresses and pulls the additional tank (10) towards the collection tank (7), and thus the additional tank (10) is seated in the recess arranged behind the collection tank (7). Thus, when in the second position, the additional tank (10) is fixed to the collection tank (7) and the additional tank (10) is enabled to remain integrated with the collection tank (7). Thus, it becomes possible to empty the collection tank (7) and the additional tank (10) at the same time.

[0046] In another embodiment of the present invention, the delivery line (8) is a bellows hose. The delivery line (8) has a bellows line which can be extended and shortened. Thus, the bellows hose structure, which can be extended and shortened while the collection tank (7) and the additional tank (10) are moved relative to each other in the housing (4), enables the transmission line (8) to be extended and shortened during the movement of the additional tank (10).

[0047] By means of the present invention, more condensate is collected and the condensate collection capacity of the dryer (1) is increased thanks to the additional tank (10) placed into the housing (4) without making any structural changes on the body (2). Moreover, the condensate collected in the collection tank (7) and the additional tank (10) are enabled to be easily emptied.

Claims

CLAIMS A dryer (1) comprising a body (2), a drum (3) wherein the laundry to be dried is loaded; a housing (4) which is provided on the body (2); a condenser (5) which dehumidifies the drying air; and a collection tank (7) which is connected to the condenser (5) by means of a condensate line (6), which is detachably placed into a housing (4) and wherein the condensate from the condensate line (6) is collected, characterized by- an additional tank (10) which receives at least some of the water collected in the collection tank (7) by means of at least one delivery line (8), which is connected to the collection tank (7) so as to be moved together with the collection tank (7) by means of at least one actuation member (9) and which has a first position wherein the additional tank (10) remains under the collection tank (7) when the collection tank (7) is in the housing (4) and a second position wherein the additional tank (10) remains behind the collection tank (7) when the collection tank (7) is at least partially taken out of the housing (4); and- at least one guiding member (14) which is provided on the housing (4) and which guides the movement of the additional tank (10) between the first position and the second position. A dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the actuation member (9) comprising a first casing (11) which is rotatably connected to the collection tank (7), a second casing (12) which is rotatably connected to the additional tank (10), and a spring (13) which connects the first casing (11) and the second casing (12) to each other. A dryer ( 1 ) as in Claim 1 , characterized by the guiding member (14) having at least one pin (15) which is provided on the additional tank (10), and at least one ramp (16) which is provided on the housing (4), which extends at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane, and whereon the pin (15) slides9during the movement of the additional tank (10) between the first position and the second position.

4. A dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by at least one support (17) which is provided on the housing (4), which extends vertically in an inclined manner and against which the additional tank (10) bears during the movement thereof between the first position and the second position.

5. A dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a recess which is provided on the collection tank (7) and wherein the additional tank (10) is seated in the second position.

6. A dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the delivery line (8) which comprises a bellows hose.

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