[0001] The present invention relates to a tumble dryer with a heat pump system according
to the preamble of claim 1.
[0002] In a tumble dryer the heat pump technology is an efficient way to save energy. A
usual tumble dryer with heat pump technology uses a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant
is compressed and heated by a compressor. The refrigerant is cooled down in a heat
exchanger, in which an air stream for the air stream circuit is heated up. Then the
air stream reaches the drum with the laundry. The air stream leaves the drum with
a decreased temperature and an increased humidity. In a further heat exchanger the
air stream is cooled down and dehydrated and the refrigerant is heated up, wherein
the refrigerant has passed an expansion valve before. In said further heat exchanger
the water vapour condenses. Then the refrigerant is compressed and heated again by
the compressor. Thus, a part of the energy can be recovered.
[0003] EP 2 063 011 A1 discloses a household appliance like a washing machine or a tumble dryer. The electric
motor for driving the drum has a variable speed. An electronic control module and
the electric motor have a common housing.
[0004] DE 10 2005 041 145 A1 discloses a tumble dryer with a heat pump system. The refrigerant circuit of said
heat pump system includes a compressor with a variable power output. The variable
power output of the compressor allows an efficient use of energy.
[0005] EP 1 650 343 A1 discloses a tumble dryer with a heat pump system. The compressor is arranged within
the air stream circuit, so that the heat released by the compressor contributes to
the heating of the air stream, in particular during the heating-up phase. An additional
electric heater is also arranged within the air stream circuit, which can be activated
during the heating-up phase.
[0006] DE 31 13 417 A1 discloses a tumble dryer with a heat pump system. An additional electric heater is
arranged within the air stream circuit in order to improve the heating-up phase.
[0007] EP 1 884 586 A2 discloses a tumble dryer with a heat pump system including a supplementary condenser.
The supplementary condenser is located outside of the air stream circuit. The supplementary
condenser is arranged between the proper condenser and the expansion valve. At this
position the temperature is very high, so that the efficiency of the supplementary
condenser is improved. By the supplementary condenser the temperature gradient between
the evaporator and condenser increases, so that more moisture can be removed from
the air stream.
[0008] However, the above tumble dryers have still the problem that in the beginning of
the drying cycle the air cannot be heated enough in order to remove the moisture from
the laundry.
[0009] DE 10 2007 062775 discloses a dryer comprising a heat pump circuit with a first heat exchanger for
the liquefaction of a working substance, a second heat exchanger for the evaporation
of the working substance, and a compressor for the compression of the working substance,
and comprises a motorized drive unit for a drum of the dryer, and wherein the first
heat exchanger and the motorized drive unit and/or the compressor are arranged such
that an air stream flows around them and into the dryer.
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tumble dryer with a heat pump
system, which allows an improved heating of the air stream.
[0011] The object of the present invention is achieved by the tumble dryer according to
claim 1.
[0012] According to the present invention at least one electric and/or electronic control
circuit for controlling the electric motor is at least partially arranged within the
air stream circuit. Alternative wordings for "control circuit" are control unit and
control module. For example the control circuit is an inverter circuit or inverter
unit or inverter module adapted to control/adjust the speed of an electric motor.
[0013] The main idea of the present invention is the use of the heat generated by electric
and/or electronic power circuits. Said electric and/or electronic power circuits may
be provided for controlling the electric motor of the drum, the fan and/or the compressor,
for example. Normally the heat of the electric and/or electronic control circuits
is wasted. The heating-up phase of the drying cycle is shortened, so that the complete
drying cycle can be shortened. It is possible to maximize the heat needed during the
stabilized part of the drying cycle. The overall energy consumption and the overall
drying time are reduced.
[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first heat exchanger
is formed as a condenser and the second heat exchanger is formed as an evaporator.
Preferably, the refrigerant circuit includes at least one expansion valve. The expansion
valve allows cooling down the refrigerant between the condenser and the evaporator.
[0015] For example, at least one of the control circuits is at least partially arranged
downstream of the second heat exchanger and upstream of the first heat exchanger.
[0016] Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the control circuits is at least partially
arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger.
[0017] According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention at least one of the
control circuits includes at least one cooling member (for example a heat sink) arranged
at least partially within the air stream circuit. Preferably, at least the cooling
member of the control circuit is arranged within the air stream circuit, other parts
of the control circuit might be arranged outside the air stream circuit. The cooling
member is part of the control circuit. Thus, even if only the cooling member of the
control circuit is (at least partially) arranged within the air stream circuit, the
control circuit is partially arranged within the air stream circuit.
[0018] Preferably, the cooling member comprises a number of cooling ribs formed as sheets
and arranged within the air stream circuit. In particular, at least a part of the
sheets are aligned parallel to the air stream.
[0019] Further, the cooling member or at least a part of the cooling member may be formed
as a removable plug-in unit. In this case, the cooling member may be inserted through
an appropriate aperture of the air stream circuit. The cooling member may be easily
fixed by a snap-in mechanism. The aperture may be provided by a cover, which closes
a part of the air stream circuit. Sealing means are provided between the aperture
and the cooling member. Thus, the cooling member and the aperture form an airtight
detachable connection.
[0020] Further, the speed and/or the power of the compressor may be variable. Thus, power
of the compressor can be optimized in order to obtain efficient drying process.
[0021] At last, the compressor may be arranged within the air stream circuit. The heat released
by the compressor can be used for the drying process and contributes to the heating
of the air stream. In particular, this is advantageous during the heating-up phase
of the drying cycle.
[0022] The novel and inventive features believed to be the characteristic of the present
invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0023] The invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings,
in which
- FIG 1
- illustrates a schematic diagram of a tumble dryer with a heat pump system according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
- FIG 2 and FIG 3
- illustrate a schematic perspective view of the heat pump system for the tumble dryer
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in FIG 2 the air stream
is opened and in FIG 3 the air stream is closed, and
- FIG 4
- illustrates the electric/electronic control circuit which is part of the heat pump
system shown in FIG 2 and FIG 3.
[0024] FIG 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a tumble dryer with a heat pump system according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG 1 shows only the substantial
components of the tumble dryer with the heat pump system.
[0025] The tumble dryer with the heat pump system comprises an air stream circuit 10, a
drum 12, a refrigerant circuit 14, a compressor 16, a first heat exchanger 18, a second
heat exchanger 20 and an electric and/or electronic control circuit 22, a fan 24 and
an expander valve 26. The control circuit 22 can also be described as control unit
22 or control module 22.
[0026] The air stream circuit 10 forms a closed loop. The drum 12 is an integrated part
of the air stream circuit 10. The drum 12 is provided for receiving laundry. The fan
24 is also integrated within the air stream circuit 10 and driven by an electric motor.
The fan 24 is provided for generating the air stream within the air stream circuit
10. In FIG 1 the air stream circulates counter-clockwise within the air stream circuit
10.
[0027] The refrigerant circuit 14 forms also a closed loop. The compressor 16 and the expander
valve 26 are integrated parts of the refrigerant circuit 14.
[0028] The air stream circuit 10 and the refrigerant circuit 14 are thermally coupled by
the first heat exchanger 18 and the second heat exchanger 20. The first heat exchanger
works as a condenser 18. The second heat exchanger works as an evaporator 20.
[0029] The control circuit 22 is provided for controlling the electric motor(s) of the drum
12, the compressor 16 and/or the fan 24 (for example it is an inverter circuit adapted
to control/adjust the speed of an electric motor). The control circuit 22 is arranged
within the air stream circuit 10. In this example, the control circuit 22 is arranged
between the evaporator 20 and the condenser 18. Alternatively or additionally, the
control circuit 22 may be arranged downstream of the condenser 18 (not illustrated
in the figures) with reference to the air stream circulation.
[0030] For example, the control circuit 22 for the electric motor of the compressor 16 may
be arranged between the evaporator 20 and the condenser 18, and the control circuit
22 for the electric motor of the fan 24 may be arranged downstream of the condenser
18.
[0031] A refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit 14. In FIG 1 the refrigerant flows
counter-clockwise in the refrigerant circuit 14. The refrigerant is compressed and
heated by the compressor 16. The heated refrigerant reaches the condenser 18. In the
condenser 18 the air stream is heated and the refrigerant is cooled down.
[0032] Between the condenser 18 and the evaporator 20 the refrigerant is expanded and additionally
cooled down by the expansion valve 26. In the evaporator 20 the air stream is cooled
down and dehydrated and the refrigerant is warmed up. By passing the control circuit
22 within the air stream circuit 10 the air stream is heated up again.
[0033] FIG 2 and FIG 3 illustrate a schematic perspective view of the heat pump system for
the tumble dryer according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG
2 shows a base plate 30 of a tumble dryer with the substantial components of the heat
pump system.
[0034] A refrigerant circuit 14, a compressor 16, a condenser 18, an evaporator 20, a control
circuit 22 comprising a cooling member 23 and a circuit board 23 with electric and/or
electronic components 34 (also see FIG 4), an expansion valve 26 and a motor bracket
28 are arranged on a base plate 30. The motor bracket 28 is provided for supporting
an electric motor for driving the drum 12. Again, the control circuit 22 can also
be described as control unit 22 or control module 22.
[0035] In FIG 2 the air stream is opened, in FIG 3 it is closed with a cover. It can be
seen that the cooling member 23 of the control circuit 22 is arranged within the air
stream circuit. Other parts of the control circuit 22, for example the circuit board
32 with its electric and/or electronic components 34, are arranged outside the air
stream circuit. The control circuit 22 can be seen in more detail in FIG 4.
[0036] The evaporator 20, the cooling member 23 of the control circuit 22 and the condenser
18 are arranged in series. This constellation allows a small aerodynamic resistance
of the air stream. In FIG 2 and FIG 3 the air stream is blown from left to right above
the base plate 30. In this example, the control circuit 22 between the evaporator
20 and the condenser 18 may be provided for the electric motor of the compressor 16.
In a similar way, the control circuit might be arranged downstream of the condenser
18 and may be provided for the electric motor of the drum 12 (not illustrated in the
figures).
[0037] Either the complete control circuit 22 (not illustrated in the figures) or only a
cooling member 23 of the control circuit 22 can be arranged within the air stream
circuit 10. The cross-section of the cooling member 23 can be adapted to the cross-section
of the channel for the air stream circuit 10. In particular, the cooling member 23
comprises a number of cooling ribs formed as sheets and arranged within the air stream
circuit. Preferably, at least a part of the sheets are aligned parallel to the air
stream.
[0038] In general, each control circuit of the tumble dryer, which is a power control circuit,
can be arranged within the air stream circuit in the sense of the present invention.
The power control circuits generate heat, which is normally wasted. Within the air
stream circuit said heat can be used to warm up the air stream. The control circuit
in the air stream circuit contributes to low energy consumption.
[0039] Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described herein
with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present
invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes
and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are
intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
List of reference numerals
[0040]
- 10
- air stream circuit
- 12
- drum
- 14
- refrigerant circuit
- 16
- compressor
- 18
- first heat exchanger, condenser
- 20
- second heat exchanger, evaporator
- 22
- control circuit
- 23
- cooling member of the control circuit 22
- 24
- fan
- 26
- expansion valve
- 28
- motor bracket
- 30
- base plate
- 32
- circuit board of the control circuit 22
- 34
- electric and/or electronic components
1. A tumble dryer with at least one heat pump system, which tumble dryer comprises:
- an air stream circuit (10) forming a closed loop and including at least one drum
(12) for receiving laundry to be dried and at least one fan (24) for generating an
air stream,
- at least one refrigerant circuit (14) including at least one compressor (16),
- a first heat exchanger (18) for a thermal coupling between the air stream circuit
(10) and the refrigerant circuit (14),
- a second heat exchanger (20) for a further thermal coupling between the air stream
circuit (10) and the refrigerant circuit (14), and
- at least one electric motor for driving the drum (12), the compressor (16) and/or
the fan (24),
characterized in, that at least one electric and/or electronic control circuit for controlling the electric
motor includes at least one cooling member (23) arranged at least partially within
the air stream circuit (10).
2. The tumble dryer according to claim 1,
characterized in, that
the first heat exchanger is formed as a condenser (18).
3. The tumble dryer according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in, that
the second heat exchanger is formed as an evaporator (20).
4. The tumble dryer according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the refrigerant circuit (14) includes at least one expansion valve (26).
5. The tumble dryer according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
at least one of the control circuits (22) is at least partially arranged downstream
of the second heat exchanger (20) and upstream of the first heat exchanger (18).
6. The tumble dryer according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
at least one of the control circuits (22) is at least partially arranged downstream
of the first heat exchanger (18).
7. The tumble dryer according to claim 1,
characterized in, that
the cooling member (23) comprises a number of cooling ribs formed as sheets and arranged
within the air stream circuit (10).
8. The tumble dryer according to claim 7,
characterized in, that
at least a part of the sheets are aligned parallel to the air stream.
9. The tumble dryer according to any one of the claims 1, 7, 8,
characterized in, that
the cooling member (23) or at least a part of the cooling member (23) is formed as
a removable plug-in unit.
10. The tumble dryer according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the speed and/or the power of the compressor (16) is variable.
11. The tumble dryer according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the compressor (16) is arranged within the air stream circuit (10).
1. Wäschetrockner mit mindestens einem Wärmepumpensystem, wobei der Wäschetrockner Folgendes
umfasst:
- einen Luftstromkreis (10), der einen geschlossenen Kreislauf bildet und mindestens
eine Trommel (12) zum Aufnehmen von zu trocknender Wäsche und mindestens ein Gebläse
(24) zum Erzeugen eines Luftstroms enthält,
- mindestens einen Kühlmittelkreis (14), der mindestens einen Kompressor (16) enthält,
- einen ersten Wärmetauscher (18) für eine thermische Kopplung zwischen dem Luftstromkreis
(10) und dem Kühlmittelkreis (14),
- einen zweiten Wärmetauscher (20) für eine weitere thermische Kopplung zwischen dem
Luftstromkreis (10) und dem Kühlmittelkreis (14), und
- mindestens einen Elektromotor zum Antreiben der Trommel (12), des Kompressors (16)
und/oder des Gebläses (24),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein elektrischer und/oder elektronischer Steuerkreis zum Steuern des Elektromotors
mindestens ein Kühlelement (23) enthält, das zumindest teilweise im Luftstromkreis
(10) angeordnet ist.
2. Wäschetrockner nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Wärmetauscher als ein Kondensator (18) ausgebildet ist.
3. Wäschetrockner nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Wärmetauscher als ein Verdampfer (20) ausgebildet ist.
4. Wäschetrockner nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Kühlmittelkreis (14) mindestens ein Expansionsventil (26) enthält.
5. Wäschetrockner nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens einer der Steuerkreise (22) zumindest teilweise stromabwärts des zweiten
Wärmetauschers (20) und stromaufwärts des ersten Wärmetauschers (18) angeordnet ist.
6. Wäschetrockner nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens einer der Steuerkreise (22) zumindest teilweise stromabwärts des ersten
Wärmetauschers (18) angeordnet ist.
7. Wäschetrockner nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Kühlelement (23) eine Anzahl von Kühlrippen aufweist, die als Platten ausgebildet
und im Luftstromkreis (10) angeordnet sind.
8. Wäschetrockner nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zumindest ein Teil der Platten parallel zum Luftstrom ausgerichtet ist.
9. Wäschetrockner nach einem der Ansprüche 1, 7, 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Kühlelement (23) oder zumindest ein Teil des Kühlelements (23) als eine entfernbare
Einsteckeinheit ausgebildet ist.
10. Wäschetrockner nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Drehzahl und/oder die Leistung des Kompressors (16) variabel ist.
11. Wäschetrockner nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Kompressor (16) im Luftstromkreis (10) angeordnet ist.
1. Sécheuse à culbutage ayant au moins un système de pompe à chaleur, laquelle sécheuse
à culbutage comprend :
- un circuit de courant d'air (10) formant une boucle fermée et comprenant au moins
un tambour (12) pour recevoir le linge à sécher et au moins un ventilateur (24) pour
générer un courant d'air,
- au moins un circuit de fluide frigorigène (14) comprenant au moins un compresseur
(16),
- un premier échangeur de chaleur (18) pour un couplage thermique entre le circuit
de courant d'air (10) et le circuit de fluide frigorigène (14),
- un second échangeur de chaleur (20) pour un autre couplage thermique entre le circuit
de courant d'air (10) et le circuit de fluide frigorigène (14), et
- au moins un moteur électrique pour entraîner le tambour (12), le compresseur (16)
et/ou le ventilateur (24),
caractérisé par le fait qu'au moins un circuit de commande électrique et/ou électronique pour commander le moteur
électrique comprend au moins un élément de refroidissement (23) agencé au moins partiellement
à l'intérieur du circuit de courant d'air (10).
2. Sécheuse à culbutage selon la revendication 1,
caractérisé par le fait que le premier échangeur de chaleur est formé en tant que condenseur (18).
3. Sécheuse à culbutage selon l'une des revendications 1 ou 2,
caractérisé par le fait que le second échangeur de chaleur est formé en tant que évaporateur (20).
4. Sécheuse à culbutage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé par le fait que le circuit de fluide frigorigène (14) comprend au moins un détendeur (26).
5. Sécheuse à culbutage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé par le fait qu'au moins l'un des circuits de commande (22) est agencé au moins partiellement en aval
du second échangeur de chaleur (20) et en amont du premier échangeur de chaleur (18).
6. Sécheuse à culbutage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé par le fait qu'au moins l'un des circuits de commande (22) est agencé au moins partiellement en aval
du premier échangeur de chaleur (18).
7. Sécheuse à culbutage selon la revendication 1,
caractérisé par le fait que l'élément de refroidissement (23) comprend un nombre de nervures de refroidissement
formées en tant que feuilles et agencées à l'intérieur du circuit de courant d'air
(10).
8. Sécheuse à culbutage selon la revendication 7,
caractérisé par le fait qu'au moins une partie des feuilles est alignée parallèlement au courant d'air.
9. Sécheuse à culbutage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1, 7 et 8,
caractérisé par le fait que l'élément de refroidissement (23) ou au moins une partie de l'élément de refroidissement
(23) est formé en tant qu'unité enfichable amovible.
10. Sécheuse à culbutage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé par le fait que la vitesse et/ou la puissance du compresseur (16) est variable.
11. Sécheuse à culbutage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé par le fait que le compresseur (16) est agencé à l'intérieur du circuit de courant d'air (10).