Laundry treatment cabinet with an apparatus for conditioning the air in an interior space

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry treatment cabinet (1), comprising - a housing (2); - at least one interior space (3) for receiving laundry (9) with an access opening (4), which is closable by means of a door (5), and an inlet opening (81) for the admission of process air (P) and an outlet opening (82) for letting out process air (P); - a heat pump unit (8), for generating process air (P) or conveying process air (P) through the interior space (3), said heat pump unit being provided in the bottom region of the cabinet (1), below the interior space (3); - a control device (18, uC) for activating and deactivating the unit (8) for generating the process air (P). The laundry treatment cabinet (1) furthermore comprises a treatment agent dispensing apparatus (70) for the application of a treatment agent into the first pipe (95) which connects the heat pump (8) to the interior space (3).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Laundry treatment cabinet with a device for conditioning the indoor air

[0003] The invention relates to a laundry treatment cabinet comprising

[0004] - a housing;

[0005] - at least one interior space for accommodating laundry with an access opening closable by a door and an inlet opening for admitting process air and an outlet opening for discharging process air;

[0006] - a unit for generating process air or conveying process air through the interior, which is mounted in the floor area of ​​the cabinet, below the interior, with

[0007] - a module housing comprising a channel section in which a heat exchanger arrangement with a condenser as a heating device and an evaporator as a condensing device is arranged;

[0008] - a compressor with connecting lines to the heat exchanger arrangement;

[0009] - a fan for conveying process air through the duct section with the heat exchanger arrangement, further comprising

[0010] - a first pipe for connecting the duct section to the air inlet and a second pipe for connecting the duct section to the air outlet of the interior;

[0011] - a control device for activating and deactivating the unit for generating the process air.

[0012] EP 2267213 A1 discloses a laundry treatment cabinet with a device for treating process air. The device comprises a treatment chamber and a flow generator for conveying the air through the treatment chamber, where the air is photocatalytically treated. This treatment is carried out continuously using an excitation light, i.e., continuously during operation of the process air blower.

[0013] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a laundry treatment cabinet which provides improved and needs-based treatment of the laundry in a simple manner.

[0014] According to the invention, at least this object is achieved by a storage cabinet having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims. The advantages achievable with the invention consist in the simple, needs-based conditioning of the process air. In particular, the treatment cabinet proposed here can reliably and effectively dry, iron, and evenly apply a treatment agent to the laundry items to be treated. The particular advantage here is that the conditioning of the laundry items takes place during treatment with the process air, so that the conditioning does not require any additional treatment time. For this purpose, the laundry treatment cabinet comprises a treatment agent dispensing device for applying a treatment agent into the first pipe.The dispensing device is designed in such a way that the treatment agent is dispensed into the process air and the process air containing the treatment agent passes from the first pipe into the interior to the laundry items hung therein.

[0015] The unit is located in the floor area of ​​the cabinet, below the interior. This means that the process air is drawn into the interior from below and extracted, while a circulation of process air is provided within the interior, flowing through the entire interior or at least reaching almost the entire interior. This allows the process air to reach the laundry located inside and dry or condition it accordingly, for example, with steam or a treatment agent.

[0016] The treatment cabinet is equipped with a treatment agent dispensing device to dispense treatment agent into the first pipe or to allow it to enter the process air exiting the duct section. The treatment agent can evaporate in the first pipe and / or mix with the process air flowing past. The treatment agent can preferably be a fragrance, which is stored in liquid form in the dispensing device. Since the treatment agent dispensing device is located downstream of the unit's heat exchangers, it is ensured that the treatment agent develops its optimal effect. If it were fed to the process air upstream of the heat exchangers, the subsequent condensation to dehumidify the process air would separate some of the agent from the process air before it reaches the interior or treatment room and the laundry items to be treated.

[0017] Furthermore, a steam generator can be provided in the cabinet to admit steam into the interior, which in turn can act on the laundry. The activity of the steam generator is preferably controlled by the control device. The steam can be admitted into the first pipe via a steam pipe, where it is mixed with the process air. Alternatively, the steam can be introduced directly into the interior using the steam pipe and a nozzle. In an expedient embodiment, the first pipe is designed and arranged such that it extends from the underside of the interior approximately vertically along the rear of the interior to a height of one quarter to seven-eighths of the full height of the interior, with the inlet to the interior or treatment chamber being arranged in the upper region of the first pipe.This allows the process air to be admitted at a medium height in the interior, ensuring that the laundry items are quickly and evenly exposed to the conditioned process air.

[0018] In a practical embodiment, the treatment agent dispensing device is designed as a module, also referred to as a fragrance module. The first tube comprises a receiving opening and a receptacle for the module. The interior of the tube is accessible through the receiving opening, with retaining means arranged at the edge of the opening or in the area of ​​the opening inside the tube, which serve as a receptacle for holding the module. When inserted, the module is located or extends partially or completely inside the first tube.

[0019] In an advantageous further development, the receiving opening for the module is located opposite the access opening for the interior or treatment area for the clothing. To change the clothing, the user can access the receiving opening or module at the rear through the interior.

[0020] In a further advantageous development, the receiving opening and the receiving element or module, when inserted, are arranged in the first pipe in the vertical extension of the pipe approximately in the middle area between the underside of the interior and the inlet opening. The middle area can be considered the area from the lower quarter to three-quarters of said extension. This ensures that the module is not positioned too close to the heat-generating heat exchanger. Furthermore, it is ensured that the released treatment agent is distributed within the pipe, so that the process air, with the treatment agent applied evenly distributed therein, reaches the interior and the textiles contained therein.

[0021] In an overall advantageous embodiment, the module comprises a container with an opening filled with liquid treatment agent, for example a fragrance, impregnating agent or disinfectant, wherein the opening is provided with a closure means to adjust the intensity of the application into the first pipe. The opening can also be completely closed with the closure means so that the treatment agent dispensing device is deactivated and no treatment agent is dispensed into the process air stream. In a further, overall expedient embodiment, the first pipe has an approximately rectangular cross-section in its vertical section and lies flat behind the rear wall of the interior. This provides a space-saving arrangement for the first pipe because it is located flat between the rear wall of the interior and the outer boundary of the device housing.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the first tube is designed such that the rectangular cross-section extends with its longitudinal side into an area of ​​the interior space that corresponds approximately 50% to 100% of the width of the interior space. Thus, a large portion of the width of the interior space is utilized to provide the cross-section for the first tube.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the first tube is designed such that the short side of the rectangular cross-section has a length in the range of 2 cm to 8 cm, preferably 3 cm to 6 cm.

[0024] In an overall practical embodiment, the air inlet is arranged at a vertical and horizontal distance from the air outlet, preferably in the rear area of ​​the interior, with the air outlet being arranged in the front area or in the central area on the underside of the interior. Due to the aforementioned spaced arrangement of the openings for the process air, it is ensured that the process air flow reaches the interior and the textiles located therein completely and at least almost homogeneously. A so-called fluidic short circuit, in which the process air flow entering the interior is diverted directly to a nearby outlet without reaching the laundry items, is avoided or prevented.

[0025] Overall, all position and direction information refers to the normal operating position of the laundry treatment cabinet.

[0026] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below.

[0027] Fig. 1 : a laundry treatment cabinet with a view into the interior in a perspective front view;

[0028] Fig. 2: example of a sketched, sectioned side view of the

[0029] laundry treatment cabinet;

[0030] Fig. 3, 4: the module in different situations and

[0031] Fig. 5: the control device as a sketch.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a laundry treatment cabinet 1 with the door 5 open, viewed diagonally from above, in which the interior 3 is visible. The laundry treatment cabinet 1 in this example is a drying cabinet, comprising a housing 2, in the interior 3 of which there are means 91 for hanging laundry 9. The laundry treatment cabinet 1 comprises, inside the housing 2, a heat pump unit 8 for providing and conveying the process air, which is admitted into the interior 3 through the inlet opening 81 and conveyed from the interior 3 to the unit 8 through the outlet opening 82. The unit 8 is arranged in the lower region 22 of the housing 2 in this example. The front side of the door 5 is opaque in this illustration, but it can be transparent so that it can be seen in the closed position.The laundry treatment cabinet further comprises a control device 18, which preferably comprises a microcontroller uC with an associated memory MEM in order to control or activate and deactivate the unit 8 according to the program stored in the memory MEM (FIG. 5).

[0033] The channel 95 or the first tube 95 is flat and has an approximately rectangular cross-section SQ.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the laundry treatment cabinet 1 further comprises, in the upper region of the appliance 1, a device 40 for air circulation in the interior 3.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows the laundry treatment cabinet 1 in a schematic sectional view with the door 5 closed during operation. The heat pump unit 8 for generating the process air P is located in the base area 22 of the housing 2. The unit 8 comprises a heat pump circuit with a cooling heat exchanger 86 (evaporator), a heating heat exchanger 84 (condenser), and a compressor 85 to pump the refrigerant contained in the heat pump circuit through the individual components. The process air blower 87 generates the air flow of the process air P, which passes through the outlet 82 to the cooling heat exchanger 86 and is dehumidified there. The dry, cool air then reaches the heating heat exchanger 84, from which it leaves again heated. Further downstream is the process air blower 87, which pumps the now dried and heated process air through the inlet 81 into the interior 3.It can also be seen that the inlet 81 is arranged in the rear wall 32 of the interior space 3. The outlet 82 is located away from the inlet 81 and in the floor 31 close to the door 5 or the access opening 4. This creates an air flow P that reaches the entire interior space 3.

[0036] In an advantageous further development, the laundry treatment cabinet 1 comprises a steam generator 88. This can also be activated and deactivated by means of the control device 18 in order to supply steam to the interior 3 or to the process air P. In the outlined embodiment, a steam pipe 89 is provided, which conducts the steam from the steam generator 88 into the first pipe 95 and terminates therein. The steam admitted into the first pipe 95 is mixed with the process air stream P in the pipe 95, so that the steam-containing process air P passes from the inlet 81 into the treatment chamber 3.

[0037] In the upper area of ​​the housing 2, above the interior space 3, there is an air circulation device 40. This device comprises a duct 50 and a fan 51 for conveying the air F from the interior space 3 through the duct 50. The fan 51 is switched on and off by the control device 18, depending on programmed or user-set specifications. The air F passes through the outlet 42 to the duct 50, with the treated air F being blown from the duct 50 into the interior space 3 through the inlet 41. In the example outlined, the air F is blown into or through the clothes hangers 91 to the laundry items 9 hung thereon. A filter element 43 is arranged at the outlet 42 to separate lint from the air flow F of the circulation.

[0038] In the rear, lower area of ​​the interior 3, the first pipe 95 extends, which is arranged flat behind the rear wall 32. This pipe 95 is provided with a treatment agent dispensing device 70 for dispensing treatment agent in a metered manner within the first pipe 95. The first pipe 95 provides the connecting channel between the base channel 80 containing the heat exchangers 84, 86 and the inlet 81.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows, by way of example, in detail the installation location for the treatment agent dispensing device 70 designed as a module. The receiving opening 71 and receiving means 72 are arranged on the side of the channel wall 32 facing the interior 3. In this example, the channel wall 32 partially forms the rear wall 32 for the treatment chamber 3. The receiving means 72 or receiving means can be locking elements or guide tracks that correspond to corresponding moldings or holding means on the module 70. The situation sketched in Fig. 3 shows the empty receiving opening 71 and the removed module 70.

[0040] Fig. 4 shows the module 70. In the inserted state, the module body 73 protrudes into the interior of the first tube 95, which provides the connecting channel from the heat exchanger 84 to the air inlet 81. An opening 74 is provided in the body 73 through which the treatment agent, for example a liquid fragrance, located in the container forming body 73 can emerge. The opening 74 can be covered with a fleece 76 so that the treatment agent can diffuse through this fleece material 76 or the fleece 76 must convey the liquid from the interior of the container 73 to the opening 74 through capillary action. The module 70 further has a closure element 75, which can be pushed or placed over the opening 74 in order to reduce the opening cross-section or to close the opening 74. With a reduced opening cross-section, the intensity of the addition is reduced.When opening 74 is completely closed, the addition is prevented, thus deactivating module 70. Liquid fragrance, impregnating agent, or another agent stored in container 73 can serve as the treatment agent. Preferably, the container volume and the dispensing rate are dimensioned such that the quantity of a fully filled container 73 is sufficient or intended for a plurality of treatment sequences. Fig. 5 shows a schematic of control device 18. Control device 8 has a microcontroller μC and a memory MEM that interacts with the microcontroller and stores the programs and parameters for controlling the actuators, such as fans 51, 87 and / or heat pump 85, in laundry treatment cabinet 1. Operating device 19 is connected to control device 18 or microcontroller μC via data line 17.Using the control device, the user can make inputs for parameterizing and setting the treatment process.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Laundry treatment cabinet (1), comprising - a housing (2); - at least one interior space (3) for receiving laundry (9) with an access opening (4) that can be closed by means of a door (5) and an inlet opening (81) for admitting process air (P) and an outlet opening (82) for discharging process air (P); - an aggregate (8) for generating process air (P) or conveying process air (P) through the interior (3), which is mounted in the floor area of ​​the cabinet (1), below the interior (3), with - a module housing (80) comprising a channel section (83) in which a heat exchanger arrangement with a condenser (84) as a heating device and an evaporator (86) as a condensing device is arranged; - a compressor (85) with connecting lines to the heat exchanger arrangement (84, 86); - a fan (87) for conveying process air (P) through the duct section (83) with the heat exchanger arrangement (84, 86), further comprising - a first pipe (95) for connecting the duct section (83) to the air inlet (81) and a second pipe (96) for connecting the duct section (83) to the air outlet (82) of the interior space (3); - a control device (18, uC) for activating and deactivating the unit (8) for generating the process air (P), characterized by a treatment agent dispensing device (70) for applying a treatment agent into the first pipe (95).

2. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first pipe (95) extends from the floor (31) of the interior (3) approximately vertically at the rear (32) of the interior (3) to a height of one quarter to seven eighths of the full height of the interior (3), wherein the inlet (81) is arranged at the upper region of the first pipe (95).

3. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the treatment agent dispensing device (70) is designed as a module, and the first tube (95) comprises a receiving opening (71) and a receptacle (72) for the module (70).

4. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to claim 3, wherein the receiving opening (71) for the module (70) is arranged opposite the access opening (4) for the interior space (3).

5. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the receiving opening (71) and the receptacle or the module (70) in the inserted state are arranged in the first tube (95) in the vertical extension of the tube (95) in the region of the upper third between the floor (31) of the interior (3) and the inlet opening (81).

6. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the module (70) comprises a container (73) with an opening (74) which is filled with liquid treatment agent, for example a fragrance, impregnating agent or disinfectant, wherein the opening (74) is provided with a closure means (75) in order to adjust the intensity of the application into the first tube (95).

7. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first tube (95) has an approximately rectangular cross-section (SQ) in the vertical section and lies flat behind the rear wall of the (32) interior space (3).

8. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first tube (95) is designed such that the rectangular cross-section (SQ) extends with its long side in a region of the interior (3) which corresponds approximately to 50% to 100% of the width of the interior (3).

9. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first tube (95) is designed such that the short side of the rectangular cross-section (SQ) has a length with a dimension in the range of 2 cm to 8 cm, preferably 3 cm to 6 cm.

10. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the air inlet (81) is arranged at a vertical and horizontal distance from the air outlet (82), preferably in the rear region of the interior space (3), wherein the air outlet (82) is arranged in the front region or in the central region in the floor (31) of the interior space (3).

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