Filter unit, clothes dryer and method for drying textiles

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter unit (130) for a clothes dryer (100), wherein the filter unit (130) comprises at least one centrifugal separator (200) for filtering lint from conveyed process air (300), wherein at least one component (210) of the centrifugal separator (200) is separable from another component (320) for cleaning the centrifugal separator (200).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a filter unit for a clothes dryer, a clothes dryer with a filter unit and a method for drying textiles with a clothes dryer.

[0002] WO 2024123479 A1 describes a cylindrical cyclone filter with an inlet and an outlet for air. Centrifugal separators are also known from vacuum cleaners, sand traps in the automotive sector (for example, in the engine air filter of off-road vehicles), and large industrial plants.

[0003] The approach presented here aims to create an improved filter unit for a tumble dryer, an improved tumble dryer with a filter unit, and an improved method for drying textiles with a tumble dryer in accordance with the main claims.

[0004] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a filter unit for a clothes dryer, a clothes dryer with a filter unit, and a method for drying textiles with a clothes dryer having the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] The advantages achievable with the invention consist, in addition to a simpler cleaning option for a filter unit, of the easy removal of components of the filter unit.

[0006] A filter unit for a clothes dryer is presented, comprising at least one centrifugal separator for filtering lint from the conveyed process air. At least one component of the centrifugal separator is separable from another component for cleaning purposes. This allows for very easy internal cleaning of the filter unit. Blocked filters can thus be cleaned more efficiently and easily after disassembly due to the separable components. According to this embodiment, the filter unit is designed as a type of lint screen for a clothes dryer. The filter unit can be installed in a commercial appliance, such as a heat pump dryer or a recirculating air dryer. The centrifugal separator can function as a filter within the filter unit.The centrifugal separator component can, for example, be shaped like a circular opening. The other component can have a funnel shape to guide lint in a controlled manner. By disassembling the component, which can be shaped like a cyclone screw, the degree of lint buildup in the application can be determined and / or cleaning of the other component, such as the cyclone funnel, can be facilitated.

[0007] The centrifugal separator can, for example, be formed from a cyclone screw and a cyclone funnel, wherein the component of the centrifugal separator is shaped as a cyclone screw and the other component as a cyclone funnel, and / or wherein the cyclone screw and the cyclone funnel can be inserted into one another and / or connected. This allows for a very advantageous airflow for lint separation.

[0008] The filter unit can include a metal plate designed to press one component of the centrifugal separator against the other during operation. This seals the interface between the two components. The plate can be made of a metal, for example, or even a precious metal. Regular maintenance allows for the monitoring of mechanical wear between the components, particularly when the centrifugal separator is exposed to highly abrasive particles. These particles can include sand grains, stones, metal shavings, and similar materials. This is a common occurrence, for instance, in the cleaning industry. By observing the separation of highly abrasive particles, the condition of the centrifugal separator can be assessed and components replaced as needed.

[0009] The sheet metal can be formed to be connected to a side wall of the filter unit and / or be designed to be removable. According to one embodiment, the side wall can be an inner surface of the filter unit. The sheet metal can be attached to the side wall, for example, by means of a locking tab or screws. Thus, the sheet metal can be both stable and removable. The sheet metal can also, for example, provide a seal for the individual components of the centrifugal separator without additional components or sealants.

[0010] The filter unit may have a service hatch, which is designed to be movable to allow access to the centrifugal separator component for removal. Alternatively, the service hatch may open or close an opening to the centrifugal separator. Damaged components of the centrifugal separator can be easily replaced via the service hatch. Causes of component damage can include, for example, stress cracks due to thermal deformation in the event of a malfunction, mechanical damage during installation, or mechanical damage caused by foreign particles during the drying process, such as stones, screws, or similar items.

[0011] The filter unit can include at least one centrifugal separator. The more centrifugal separators the filter unit contains, the better and with a higher airflow lint can be filtered from the air. Multiple, or at least two, centrifugal separators enable more efficient filtration of the process air.

[0012] Among other things, the filter unit can include a connecting element that links the components of the centrifugal separator and a component of the second centrifugal separator, allowing for the simultaneous removal of both components. This connecting element can be made of plastic or metal, such as stainless steel. The connecting element can also support the sheet metal by pressing the cyclone screw (more firmly) against the cyclone hopper. Interconnected cyclone screws allow for simultaneous removal or installation, reducing servicing time.

[0013] Furthermore, the invention presents a clothes dryer with a variant of a filter unit described herein, wherein the clothes dryer has a drum for holding laundry and a fan unit for extracting process air from the drum, the filter unit being arranged between the drum and the fan unit. By placing the filter unit between the drum and the fan unit, the service life and efficiency of the fan can be extended, as it does not come into contact with lint or similar materials.

[0014] The other component of the filter unit can be designed to be removable from the tumble dryer. This other part can be the cyclone funnel. Removing this component allows for the removal and cleaning of a lint screen or similar filter element. Lint can also be collected from a collection area hidden by the centrifugal separator. This allows the degree of lint buildup to be monitored. Manual cleaning of the cyclone screw and cyclone funnel is possible. Regular maintenance or cleaning of the filter component ensures consistent filter performance throughout the tumble dryer's lifespan without the need for additional replacement parts. Furthermore, the removable design of both components allows for the replacement of damaged parts via detachable connections.

[0015] Furthermore, a method for drying textiles with a tumble dryer, as mentioned above, is presented, with a step of controlling the fan unit to convey process air from the drum through the filter unit.

[0016] The approach presented here further provides a control unit designed to execute, control, or implement a step in a variant of the method presented herein within the corresponding components of the clothes dryer. This embodiment of the invention, in the form of a device, also allows the underlying problem to be solved quickly and efficiently. In other words, the aforementioned clothes dryer includes the control unit for carrying out the aforementioned method for drying laundry.

[0017] The control unit can be configured to read input signals and use these input signals to determine and provide output signals. An input signal can, for example, be a sensor signal readable via an input interface of the control unit. An output signal can be a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the control unit. The control unit can be configured to determine the output signals using a processing instruction implemented in hardware or software. For example, the control unit can include a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and may be implemented as a discrete component or comprised of a discrete component.

[0018] A computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable medium such as semiconductor memory, hard disk memory, or optical memory is also advantageous. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or control unit, it can be used to carry out, implement, and / or control the step of the process according to one of the embodiments described herein.

[0019] The approach described here can be used in connection with a commercial or professional device, for example a medical device, such as a cleaning or disinfection device, a small sterilizer, a large-capacity disinfector or a container washing system.

[0020] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a clothes dryer; Figure 2 is a perspective sectional view of an embodiment of a clothes dryer; Figure 3 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a clothes dryer; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a filter unit of the clothes dryer; Figure 5 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a clothes dryer; and Figure 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for drying laundry.

[0021] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer 100. The clothes dryer 100 can be designed as a household appliance or as a commercial appliance. Like conventional clothes dryers, the clothes dryer 100 has a drum 110. A flow of process air is passed through the drum 110, drying textiles inside. This process air is circulated within the clothes dryer 100 by a fan unit 120. A filter unit 130 is arranged between the fan unit 120 and the drum 110. The filter unit 130 is designed to filter lint, fluff, or similar particles from the process air. For this purpose, the filter unit 130 includes, for example, a centrifugal separator.Furthermore, the tumble dryer 100 includes a control unit 140, which is intended to dry textiles in the tumble dryer 100 by controlling the fan unit 120 to convey process air from the drum 110 through the filter unit 130.

[0022] The filter unit 130 is arranged in a lint chamber 150. The filter unit 130 comprises at least one centrifugal separator for filtering lint from conveyed process air, wherein at least one component of the centrifugal separator is separable from another component for cleaning the centrifugal separator. According to one embodiment, the lint chamber 150 is arranged between the drum 110 and the fan unit 120.

[0023] Figure 2 Figure 1 shows a perspective sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer 100. The clothes dryer 100 is like the one in Figure 1. Figure 1The described tumble dryer is designed as follows. The tumble dryer 100 comprises the filter unit 130 with a centrifugal separator 200 in the lint chamber 150 and the fan unit 120.

[0024] The filter unit 130 comprises six centrifugal separators 200, which are positioned parallel to each other in the lint chamber 150. Additionally, the centrifugal separators 200 are arranged in the lint chamber 150 such that they are aligned along an airflow direction. This airflow direction runs from one front of the clothes dryer 100 towards the fan unit 120. Alternatively, the clothes dryer 100 may, for example, comprise only two centrifugal separators 200. It is also possible that, according to one embodiment, the clothes dryer 100 has eight or ten centrifugal separators 200.

[0025] In this embodiment, the centrifugal separators 200 are connected to one another by means of a connecting element 205. More precisely, the connecting element 205 is connected to a component 210 of the centrifugal separator 200. The component 210 is, for example, shaped as a component 210 of the centrifugal separator 200. The connecting element 205 is, for example, shaped like a kind of slat, which connects the centrifugal separators 200 to one another above an opening in the component 210. All components 210 of the centrifugal separators 200 can be removed with a single movement via the connecting element 205.

[0026] The use of centrifugal separators or cyclone filters in the 100 tumble dryer allows lint to be removed without the need for a fabric filter. Lint has the property of clinging to any surface. This is due to various reasons; for example, lint gets caught on edges or adheres to electrically charged surfaces due to electrostatic charge. Since lint is still damp at the beginning of the drying process, it can also stick to smooth surfaces. After the water evaporates, the dry lint remains attached to the surface. This is especially true for fine lint, which has a consistency similar to flour. Furthermore, limescale from the evaporating water or detergent residue, for example, accumulate in the air passages over time.

[0027] Over time, almost all surfaces that come into contact with lint become coated with a corresponding film of lint, which increases continuously depending on its thickness. This can change the flow cross-sections, thus affecting the overall flow. This has a very negative impact on the operation of the device and the program runtimes, which increase as the flow cross-sections decrease.

[0028] This situation necessitates the regular cleaning of the air passages in clothes dryers. In commercial settings, this is typically done through routine dryer maintenance, which includes cleaning air ducts, heating channels, and the fabric filter area. With the introduction of a centrifugal separator 200, which is inherently low-maintenance, it also requires cleaning. This involves opening the centrifugal separator 200 and cleaning the inside. A film or layer of lint inside the centrifugal separator 200 would significantly impair airflow and thus reduce its overall effectiveness. The separator's operation relies on utilizing the physical properties of the airflow within the centrifugal separator 200.

[0029] The use of centrifugal separators in tumble dryers has not yet truly established itself in the market. This can be attributed to various reasons, but is likely due to a multitude of problems associated with their use. The approach presented here therefore focuses on simplifying the cleaning of the centrifugal separator 200 to maintain its filtering effectiveness throughout the tumble dryer's lifespan. Especially in commercial settings, where effective filtration is essential and the dryer's performance must not diminish over its lifespan, internal cleaning of the filter unit 130 is indispensable. Since the throughput of laundry per hour is crucial, any deterioration due to clogged air passages or a faulty filter unit 130 translates directly into lost profits for the operator.

[0030] Figure 3Figure 1 shows a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer 100. The clothes dryer 100 is like the one in Figure 100. Figure 1 The described clothes dryer is designed as follows. The process air 300 is drawn from the drum 110 through the filter unit 130 to the blower 120. The lint chamber 150 is only partially supplied with process air; overall, there is a low airflow there to avoid stirring up the already collected lint. The majority of the process air 300 is directed into the centrifugal separator 200, which directs the process air 300 tangentially to the previous flow direction.

[0031] The flow direction of the process air 300 is shown here with arrows. The process air 300 is first directed from the drum 110 directly into the centrifugal separators 200. In this embodiment, the intake channels of the centrifugal separators 200 are arranged directly behind the drum cap, from a fluid dynamics perspective. The process air 300 is directed tangentially into the centrifugal separator 200. A sheet 310 is attached to the centrifugal separator 200. Since the centrifugal separator 200 is formed from two components, component 210 and component 320, there is an interface at which the centrifugal separator 200 will leak if component 210 and component 320 are not sufficiently tightly sealed.

[0032] The sheet metal 310 is shaped to press component 210 of the centrifugal separator 200 firmly against another component 320. The other component 320 is shaped as a cyclone funnel with a conical shape. The sheet metal 310 is designed to be removable to allow cleaning of the centrifugal separator 200. In a suitable embodiment, the sheet metal 310 can be secured not only by screws, but also, for example, by locking lugs, quick-release fasteners, or other known clamping devices. According to one embodiment, the sheet metal 310 is connected to a side wall of the filter unit 130. This results in increased stability of the sheet metal 310. The sheet metal 310 is, for example, placed on the centrifugal separator 200 as a kind of cover.

[0033] Furthermore, the filter unit 130 includes, for example, a service flap 330. According to one embodiment, the service flap is located on the front of the tumble dryer 100. The service flap 330 provides the user with access to the filter unit 130. This facilitates cleaning of the filter unit 130 and, in various service situations, the quick and easy replacement of defective components.

[0034] The arrangement of the centrifugal separators 200 with component 210, hereinafter also referred to as the cyclone screw, towards the front of the tumble dryer is essential for easy accessibility. The sketches included in the appendix refer to the lint chamber 150 of the tumble dryer 100. During the drying process, the process air 300 is drawn from the drum 110 by a fan unit 120. It is then passed through the lint chamber 150 and cleaned of the lint present in the process air 300. Centrifugal separators 200, mounted parallel to each other, are used to filter the lint from the process air 300. The sketch shows an example of six centrifugal separators 200 arranged in parallel. The inlet to the centrifugal separators 200 is located between the outlet of the drum 110 and the front of the tumble dryer. The flow towards the centrifugal separator 200 is tangential.The air inlet of the centrifugal separator 200 is located at the front, while the cyclone funnel extends to the rear in the direction of the main airflow towards the fan unit 120. The outlet for the cleaned air is located at the front of the centrifugal separator 200. The cyclone screw is oriented forward towards the front of the clothes dryer. The cyclone funnel is permanently connected to the clothes dryer periphery, for example, via screw bosses or locking lugs, which allow a connection to the surrounding metal plates. These connections are also designed to be detachable for easy replacement of the cyclone funnels. The cyclone screw is inserted into the cyclone funnel. The process flow within the lint chamber 150 is defined by the metal plate 310. To allow access to the cyclone screws for servicing, only the metal plate 310 needs to be removed.The service hatch 330, located at the front of the tumble dryer 100, provides access to the tray 310. This hatch not only allows access to the tray 310 but also to the collection chamber where the separated lint falls. Depending on the design, the tray 310 can be secured not only with screws but also, for example, with locking tabs, quick-release fasteners, or other known clamping devices. The advantage of this is that the tray 310 secures and clamps all the cyclones, eliminating the need for separate locking or screwing of the individual cyclone funnels with their associated cyclone screws. Furthermore, it is possible, for example, to remove all the cyclone screws simultaneously via a mechanical connection between them.This means that all centrifugal separators 200 can be opened at once with just a few simple steps, and it is not necessary to pull out each cyclone screw individually.

[0035] Figure 4 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a filter unit 130 of the tumble dryer. The filter unit 130 is like the one in Figure 1. Figure 1 The described filter unit is formed. The components of filter unit 130 are shown in more detail. Filter unit 130 again includes the centrifugal separator 200. One centrifugal separator 200 is shown highlighted in relation to the other two centrifugal separators 200. Also shown is sheet metal 310, which conceals further centrifugal separators.

[0036] An inlet 400 of the centrifugal separator 200 is, for example, located on the side of the centrifugal separator 200 facing the drum. This is the upper side of the centrifugal separator 200 when the clothes dryer is in its upright position. The sheet metal 310 also includes through-openings 410 at the points where the sheet metal 310 would otherwise cover the inlets 400 of the centrifugal separator 200. Component 210 has an opening 420 through which filtered air from the other component 320 is discharged.

[0037] Figure 5 Figure 1 shows a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer 100. The clothes dryer 100 is like the one in Figure 100. Figure 1The described clothes dryer is designed as follows. The clothes dryer 100 comprises the filter unit 130 with the centrifugal separator 200 in the lint chamber 150. The centrifugal separator 200 consists of component 210 and component 320.

[0038] Here, an interface 500 between component 210 and the other component 320 is clearly visible. This interface 500 is sealed by pressing the sheet metal against component 320 from the front. An interference fit ensures a seal between component 210 and component 320 at interface 500 through a combination of positive and negative engagement. The sheet metal, mounted from the front over all centrifugal separators 200, provides the final seal. When the sheet metal is bolted to the surrounding components, the cyclone screws behind it are pressed into the cyclone funnels. The resulting clamping force is sufficient to guarantee a tight seal at interface 500.

[0039] Figure 6Figure 600 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of method 600 for drying textiles with a clothes dryer. Method 600 includes a step 601 for controlling the fan unit to convey process air from the drum through the filter unit. Methods are known in which lint and other foreign matter in the airflow are mechanically removed from the airflow by lint filters. Furthermore, multi-stage mechanical filters are sometimes used, which essentially consist of a series of filters with different mesh sizes. These are usually cleaned manually, for example, using a broom.

Claims

1. Filter unit (130) for a clothes dryer (100), wherein the filter unit (130) comprises the following feature: at least one centrifugal separator (200) for filtering lint from conveyed process air (300), wherein at least one component (210) of the centrifugal separator (200) is separable from another component (320) for cleaning the centrifugal separator (200).

2. Filter unit (130) according to claim 1, wherein the centrifugal separator (200) is formed from a cyclone screw and a cyclone funnel, in particular wherein the component (210) of the centrifugal separator (200) is formed as a cyclone screw and / or wherein the other component (320) is formed as a cyclone funnel and / or wherein the cyclone screw and the cyclone funnel are pluggable and / or connectable.

3. Filter unit (130) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a sheet (310) designed to press the component (210) of the centrifugal separator (200) onto the other component (320) of the centrifugal separator (200) during operation.

4. Filter unit (130) according to claim 3, wherein the sheet (310) is formed to be connected to a side wall of the filter unit (130) and / or wherein the sheet (310) is formed to be removable.

5. Filter unit (130) according to one of the preceding claims, with a service flap (330), wherein the service flap (330) is movably shaped to release the component (210) of the centrifugal separator (200) for removal and / or to release and / or close an opening to the centrifugal separator (200).

6. Filter unit (130) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter unit (130) comprises at least a second centrifugal separator (200).

7. Filter unit (130) according to claim 7, with a connecting element (205) which is connected to the component (210) of the centrifugal separator (200) and a component (210) of the second centrifugal separator (200) in order to enable a joint removal of the component (210) of the centrifugal separator (200) and the component (210) of the second centrifugal separator (200).

8. Clothes dryer (100) with a filter unit (130) according to claims 1 to 7, wherein the clothes dryer (100) has a drum (110) for receiving laundry and a fan unit (120) for conveying process air (300) out of the drum (110), wherein the filter unit (130) is arranged between the drum (110) and the fan unit (120).

9. Clothes dryer (100) according to claim 8, wherein the other component (320) of the filter unit (130) is designed to be removable from the clothes dryer (100).

10. Method (600) for drying textiles using a clothes dryer (100) according to one of claims 8 to 9, comprising a step (601) of controlling the fan unit (120) to convey process air (300) from the drum (110) through the filter unit (130).

11. Control unit (140) configured to perform and / or control the step (601) of the method (600) according to claim 10 in a corresponding unit.

12. Computer program product with program code for carrying out the method (600) according to claim 10, when the computer program product is executed on a control unit (140) according to claim 11.

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