Dryer with pre-heating system

Abstract

The invention is related to a dryer (10) for drying laundry by bringing it into contact with the heated air in at least one main body (11), comprising at least one condenser (40) for heating the air, at least one evaporator (20) with which the air is contacted before the condenser (40) for dehumidification, at least one compressor (60) for moving a refrigerant between the evaporator (20) and the condenser (40), and at least one reservoir (70) for collecting water condensed from the air contacting the evaporator (20). It is characterized in that; it comprises at least one pre-heating unit (30) for pre-heating the air as it passes from the evaporator (20) to the condenser (40) before it reaches the condenser (40), said pre-heating unit (30) comprises at least one pipe (31) through which water collected in said reservoir (70) is circulated, part of which is wrapped around the compressor (60) to take the heat released by the compressor (60) during operation and part of which extends in at least one space (50) between the evaporator (20) and the condenser (40).

Description

[0001] DRYER WITH PRE-HEATING SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention is related to a dryer for drying laundry by bringing it into contact with the heated air in at least one main body, comprising at least one condenser for heating the air, at least one evaporator with which the air is contacted before the condenser for dehumidification, at least one compressor for moving a refrigerant between the evaporator and the condenser, and at least one reservoir for collecting water condensed from the air contacting the evaporator.

[0004] PRIOR ART

[0005] Nowadays, tumble dryers which are found in almost every home have become a part of human life. Dryers available in a wide variety of models offer a fast and effective laundry drying option for people. There are essentially two types of dryers available in the present. These are electric and gas tumble dryers. Electric tumble dryers are divided into three according to drying principles; these are heat pump, condenser, and vented dryers. Among the electric dryers, the product with the highest energy efficiency is heat pump machines.

[0006] Heat pump machines require a compressor providing the circulation of the refrigerant, an evaporator, which is the area where the drying air condenses, a condenser, which is the area that provides heat to the drying air to increase its dehumidification capacity, and a fan to cool the heated compressor. The drying cycle continues until the moisture in the laundry reaches a certain rate. The drying cycle, which is a closed cycle, and the refrigerant cycle provided by the heat pump operate continuously until the drying cycle is finished.

[0007] The compressor heats up during the drying cycle. In order to cool the heated compressor, heat transfer takes place, usually by applying forced convection with the help of an axial fan. In this way, the compressor is cooled. The axial fan inside the machine sweeps the heat of the compressor and distributes it into the machine. Here, since the heat of the compressor is wasted, the total efficiency of the system decreases.

[0008] As a result, all the above-mentioned problems have made it imperative to make an innovation in the relevant technical field.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to a dryer for eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantages and bringing new advantages to the relevant technical field.

[0011] An object of the invention is to introduce a dryer with increased energy efficiency and energy saving.

[0012] In order to accomplish all the objects mentioned above and to be derived from the detailed description below, the present invention is a dryer for drying laundry by bringing it into contact with the heated air in at least one main body, comprising at least one condenser for heating the air, at least one evaporator with which the air is contacted before the condenser for dehumidification, at least one compressor for moving a refrigerant between the evaporator and the condenser, and at least one reservoir for collecting water condensed from the air contacting the evaporator. Accordingly, the novelty is that it comprises at least one pre-heating unit for pre-heating the air as it passes from the evaporator to the condenser before it reaches the condenser, said pre-heating unit comprises at least one pipe through which water collected in said reservoir is circulated, part of which is wrapped around the compressor to take the heat released by the compressor during operation and part of which extends in at least one space between the evaporator and the condenser. Thus, the heat emitted by the compressor is used as a heat source to increase the temperature of the drying air before it reaches the condenser.

[0013] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the pipe is wound around the compressor such that at least one installation distance is provided between it and the compressor. Thus, the vibrations created by the compressor during operation are prevented from being transferred to the pre-heating system. Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of fins in the part of the pipe that is in the space to increase the air heat transfer surface.

[0014] Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one pump to move the water within the reservoir through the pipe.

[0015] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Fig. 1 shows a representative isometric view of the interior of the main body of the dryer of the invention.

[0017] Fig. 2 shows a representative top cross-sectional view of the interior of the main body of the dryer of the invention.

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In this detailed description, the subject of the invention is explained by way of example only for a better understanding of the subject, which shall not create any limiting effect.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a representative isometric view of the interior of the main body (11) of the dryer (10) of the invention. The dryer (10) is configured for drying laundry. The dryer (10) is essentially a dryer (10) with a heat pump. Accordingly, the laundry to be dried is placed in the drum located in the main body (11 ) of the dryer (10) and hot air is fed into the drum. Herein, the laundry dries by coming into contact with the hot air, and the drying air is humidified as it removes moisture from the laundry.

[0021] The dryer (10) comprises at least one refrigerant circuit located in the main body (11). Said refrigerant circuit comprises at least one condenser (40), at least one evaporator (20), and at least one compressor (60). The drying air circulated in the drum in the main body (11) is brought into contact with the evaporator (20) and condenser (40) respectively, wherein heat transfer takes place between the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit and the air. The compressor (60) pressurizes the refrigerant, allowing the refrigerant to circulate between the evaporator (20) and the condenser (40). The refrigerant is a cooler in the evaporator (20) and a heater in the condenser (40). Accordingly, the drying air cools down when it passes over the evaporator (20) and heats up when it passes over the condenser (40). The drying air passes into the evaporator (20) through at least one humid air inlet (12). The drying air can be passed through various filters before leaving the drum and reaching the humid air inlet (12). When the air comes into contact with the evaporator (20) and cools down, the moisture in it condenses. Herein, the condensed water is collected in at least one reservoir (70).

[0022] The dryer (10) comprises at least one pre-heating unit (30). The pre-heating unit (30) is partially located in at least one space (50) between the evaporator (20) and the condenser (40). With the pre-heating unit (30), it is ensured that the air is pre-heated before reaching the condenser (40) after the evaporator (20).

[0023] The compressor (60) heats up during operation and radiates heat to the surrounding area. The pre-heating unit (30) uses this heat generated by the compressor (60) as a heat source. The pre-heating unit (30) comprises at least one pipe (31), said pipe (31) is partially wound around the compressor (60) in a winding part (311) and extends partly into the space (50). The pipe (31) is also connected with the reservoir (70). Accordingly, water from the reservoir (70) is circulated in the pipe (31). For this, there is at least one pump (32) moving the water within the reservoir (70) to circulate it in the pipe (31).

[0024] With a part of the pipe (31) being wound around the compressor (60), the heat emitted by the compressor (60) during operation is transferred to the pipe (31). Since the water heated in the winding part (311 ) is moved by the pump (32), it reaches the part of the pipe (31) located in the space (50). After releasing heat and moisture in the evaporator (20), the drying air passes through the space (50) before reaching the condenser (40). Since the space (50) contains a pipe (31) in which there is water heated by the temperature of the compressor (60), when the drying air passes through the space (50) and contacts the pipe (31), it receives heat from the pipe (31). In this way, the drying air is pre-heated before it reaches the condenser (40). A plurality of fins (33) is present herein to increase the heat transfer surface area between the pipe (31) and the drying air. Said fins (33) are preferably in the form of rectangular plates. In the preferred embodiment, the pipe (31) does not come into contact with the compressor (60) body in the winding part (311), and an installation distance (312) is provided therebetween to prevent the vibrations during the operation of the compressor (60) from being transmitted to the pipe (31).

[0025] According to all these described embodiments, it is ensured in the dryer (10) of the invention that the drying air is heated before it reaches the condenser (40) and the compressor itself (60) is used as the heat source. In order to transmit heat from the compressor (60) to the space (50), condensed water is used in the evaporator (20) dehumidifying the hot air exiting the drum. With these embodiments, it is ensured that the compressor (60) temperature is used for pre-heating instead of uncontrolled distribution with the fan as in the present art. Here, the overall efficiency of the system increases as heat losses are reduced, and the capacity of the condenser (40) can be kept lower as the heating load of the condenser (40) is reduced. In this way, energy is saved. Since the fluid circulated in the pipe (31) is taken directly from the reservoir (70), there is no need for an additional fluid source.

[0026] The scope of protection of the invention is specified in the appended claims and cannot be limited to what is described for illustrative purposes in this detailed description. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can produce similar embodiments in the light of what is explained above, without deviating from the main theme of the invention.

[0027] REFERENCE NUMERALS GIVEN IN DRAWINGS

[0028] 10 Dryer

[0029] 11 Main Body

[0030] 12 Humid Air Inlet

[0031] 20 Evaporator

[0032] 30 Pre-heating Unit

[0033] 31 Pipe

[0034] 311 Winding Part

[0035] 312 Installation Distance

[0036] 32 Pump

[0037] 33 Fin 40 Condenser

[0038] 50 Space 60 Compressor

[0039] 70 Reservoir

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A dryer (10) for drying laundry by bringing it into contact with the heated air in at least one main body (11), comprising at least one condenser (40) for heating the air, at least one evaporator (20) with which the air is contacted before the condenser (40) for dehumidification, at least one compressor (60) for moving a refrigerant between the evaporator (20) and the condenser (40), and at least one reservoir (70) for collecting water condensed from the air contacting the evaporator (20), characterized in that it comprises at least one pre-heating unit (30) for pre-heating the air as it passes from the evaporator (20) to the condenser (40) before it reaches the condenser (40), said pre-heating unit (30) comprises at least one pipe (31) through which water collected in said reservoir (70) is circulated, part of which is wrapped around the compressor (60) to take the heat released by the compressor (60) during operation and part of which extends in at least one space (50) between the evaporator (20) and the condenser (40).

2. A dryer (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the pipe (31) is wound around the compressor (60) such that at least one installation distance (312) is provided between it and the compressor (60).

3. A dryer (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a plurality of fins (33) in the part of the pipe (31) that is in the space (50) to increase the air heat transfer surface.

4. A dryer (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one pump (32) for moving the water within the reservoir (70) through the pipe

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