TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a clothes dryer drying an article to be dried, such
as clothes, and a method of cleaning an evaporator in the clothes dryer.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In a conventional clothes dryer which mounts a heat pump device thereon, lint caused
from a fiber product, such as clothes, is mixed into drying air. The mixed lint adheres
and accumulates onto an air blower and a heat exchanger provided in a circulation
air passage. As a result, the lint lowers a function of the air blower and the heat
exchanger. Therefore, the conventional clothes dryer has, in the circulation air passage,
a lint filter collecting the lint mixed into the drying air.
[0003] However, since the drying air flowing in the circulation air passage is required
to ensure a fixed amount of air blown, a mesh of the lint filter cannot be made finer.
Consequently, it is difficult for the lint filter to completely remove the lint from
the drying air passing therethrough. As a result, the lint which passes through the
lint filter adheres onto the heat exchanger to lower the function of the heat exchanger.
Therefore, the conventional clothes dryer having a washing function washes away the
lint adherent onto the heat exchanger with tap water (for instance, see Patent Literature
1).
[0004] Hereinafter, a configuration of the conventional clothes dryer described in Patent
Literature 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0005] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the conventional clothes dryer having a washing function.
[0006] As shown in FIG. 8, the conventional clothes dryer having a washing function includes
at least drum 52, outer tub 53, circulation air passage 60, and heat pump device 59.
Drum 52 is rotatably provided in outer tub 53, and accommodates therein an article
to be dried, such as clothes 51, to be rotatably driven. The clothes dryer supplies
water into outer tub 53 via water supply valve 64, drains the water from the outer
tub 53, and controls rotation of drum 52 to execute washing, rinsing, spin-drying,
and drying steps.
[0007] To circulate a refrigerant, heat pump device 59 includes compressor 54, condenser
55, expansion device 56, and evaporator 57 connected with pipe 58. Condenser 55 and
evaporator 57 in heat pump device 59 are disposed in circulation air passage 60 through
which drying air is circulated.
[0008] Exhaust port 61 is provided in an upper front of outer tub 53. Air blow port 62 is
provided in an upper portion of a rear surface of outer tub 53. Circulation air passage
60 connects exhaust port 61 and air blow port 62. Circulation air passage 60 has an
inlet which flows the drying air thereinto and communicates with exhaust port 61,
and an outlet which communicates with air blow port 62.
[0009] Air blower 63 is provided in circulation air passage 60 between condenser 55 in heat
pump device 59 and air blow port 62, and blows the drying air.
[0010] A drying operation of the conventional clothes dryer having a washing function will
be described below.
[0011] The drying operation is started to operate compressor 54 in heat pump device 59 and
air blower 63 that blows the drying air into circulation air passage 60. The drying
air is blown from air blow port 62 in circulation air passage 60 into drum 52. The
drying air which is blown into drum 52 comes into contact with clothes 51 therein,
and then takes the water from clothes 51 for drying.
[0012] Thereafter, the drying air which takes the water from clothes 51 to have high humidity
flows from exhaust port 61 into circulation air passage 60. The high-humidity drying
air is cooled by evaporator 57 in heat pump device 59 to be deprived of latent heat,
and is then condensed to be dehumidified. The dehumidified drying air has lowered
absolute humidity to be dried. The drying air is heated again by condenser 55 in heat
pump device 59 to become dry hot air which is then blown from air blow port 62 into
drum 52.
[0013] That is, the drying air blown from air blower 63 is circulated through circulation
air passage 60 into drum 52 to execute the drying operation for clothes 51.
[0014] In the drying step, lint separated from clothes 51 in drum 52 is mixed into the drying
air circulated in circulation air passage 60. The mixed lint adheres onto evaporator
57 to cause clogging between fins (not shown) of evaporator 57. As a result, the amount
of the drying air flowing in circulation air passage 60 is reduced to lower heat exchange
efficiency of heat pump device 59.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 8, the conventional clothes dryer having a washing function has
cleaning unit 65 that opens openable and closable water supply valve 64 to inject
a water solution for cleaning a heat exchanger to evaporator 57 and condenser 55 as
the heat exchanger. Cleaning unit 65 injects the water solution for cleaning the heat
exchanger to remove the lint adherent onto evaporator 57 and condenser 55.
[0016] As the water solution for cleaning the heat exchanger, tap water is used. In addition,
the lint is removed with the condensed water generated on evaporator 57.
[0017] However, the conventional clothes dryer having a washing function removes the lint
with the tap water injected from cleaning unit 65 to clean the heat exchanger. Therefore,
when the tap water adherent onto the heat exchanger is evaporated, a scale component
included therein remains as an evaporation residue on a surface of the heat exchanger.
As a result, heat exchange efficiency of evaporator 57 and condenser 55 configuring
the heat exchanger is lowered. The scale or scale component means a calcium or magnesium
component contained in the water, such as the tap water, which is precipitated and
deposited as an oxide, sulfide, carbonate, and carbohydrate. Ditto with the below.
[0018] In addition, when dried, the lint adherent onto evaporator 57 is fixed onto a surface
of evaporator 57. Consequently, it is difficult to remove the lint fixed with the
condensed water generated on the evaporator.
[0019] DE 10 2006 018 469 A1 describes a cloth drier which comprises an electric control with a program for controlling
a pump and/or a component for opening and closing of a water flow pipeline, a heat
pump system, a drum motor, an aerator, a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, a
drip device for condensation, and replaceable or cleanable water filters arranged
behind a cover or flap for flooding, sprinkling, perfusion and/or over flow of the
evaporators and/or compressors. The drying is carried out by dehydration of air promoted
in air circulation operation through condensation by a cooler. The cloth drier comprises
an electric control with a program for controlling a pump and/or a component for opening
and closing of a water flow pipeline, a heat pump system, a drum motor, an aerator,
a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, a drip device for condensation, and replaceable
or cleanable water filters arranged behind a cover or flap for flooding, sprinkling,
perfusion and/or over flow of the evaporators and/or compressors. The drying is carried
out by dehydration of air promoted in air circulation operation through condensation
by a cooler, which is a part of the heat pump system. In accordance with the program,
the water is flowable into a collection tank located on heat exchanger or its partial
area for balancing temperature and pressure in the heat pump system. The filter is
present in the conveying cycle of the water pump. An installation for monitoring the
filters is available, by which the drier can be recognized, when the filter is subjected
and must be cleaned. A procedure for the usage of the cloth drier is also described.
[0020] EP 1 541 745 A1 describes a clothes drying apparatus which includes a heat pump mechanism, an air
path for guiding drying air into a drying drum accommodating therein clothes, a blower
for supplying drying air to the air path, and a controller for controlling a driving
of a compressor, wherein the controller operates the blower and the compressor during
a drying operation; stops the compressor in case the drying operation is suspended;
and operates, in case the drying operation is resumed, the compressor after a certain
time period has elapsed since the compressor had stopped. In case employing the heat
pump mechanism having the compressor as a heat source, it is possible to reduce a
load on the compressor and allow temperature of warm air to rapidly return by using
the heat pump mechanism.
[0021] EP 2 037 035 A1 describes a laundry treatment device having a drying program and a control method
thereof, wherein the laundry treatment device comprises a water tub, a rotatable drum
disposed inside the water tub, a heating assembly for heating air into dry hot air,
a condensing assembly for condensing moisture contained in relatively humid hot air,
and a blowing device for driving an air circulation, wherein an air circulating loop
is formed among the heating assembly, water tub, drum, condensing assembly and blowing
device, and a spraying device for flushing the fluff accumulated on the condensing
assembly is disposed between the condensing assembly and the blowing device. The water
is sprayed from top down to the condensing assembly by the spraying device, thereby
flushing away the fluff accumulated on the condensing assembly.
[0022] DE 10 2007 052 835 A1 relates to a method and device for cleaning an evaporator of a condenser which is
arranged within a process air cycle of a washer or dryer. In this respect, it is described
that condensate which is recovered in the process air cycle from the dryer of wet
laundry and collected in a condensate water tank is provided to an above evaporator
rinsing container and delivered by suddenly opening the rinsing container or the rinsing
chamber on the outlet side as a surge of water to the evaporator, and/or pressurized
power water is delivered to the evaporator.
Citation List
Patent Literature
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The invention is defined by the subject-matter of the independent claims.
[0025] The dependent claims are directed to advantageous embodiments.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Advantageously, a clothes dryer includes a drying chamber for accommodating therein
an article to be dried, an air passage through which drying air discharged from the
drying chamber is circulated into the drying chamber again, a heat pump device provided
in the air passage and including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and
an evaporator connected with a pipe to circulate a refrigerant, an air blower for
blowing the air into the air passage, a discharging unit for discharging water to
the evaporator, and a controller for controlling a drying operation. The controller
discharges the water from the discharging unit, and then operates the compressor.
[0027] With this, the dehumidified water generated on the evaporator during the drying operation
can remove the water which removes lint. Therefore, the scale component contained
in the water can be prevented from adhering onto the evaporator, to remove the lint.
As a result, heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator configuring a heat exchanger
in the heat pump device can be prevented from being lowered. The clothes dryer can
thus stably maintain drying performance for a long period.
[0028] An advantageous method of cleaning an evaporator in a clothes dryer includes a first
step of discharging water to the evaporator in a heat pump device to remove lint adherent
onto the evaporator, a second step of operating a compressor to cool the evaporator,
a third step of operating an air blower to blow drying air, and a fourth step of removing
the water adherent onto the evaporator with dehumidified water generated on the evaporator.
[0029] With this, the water which removes the lint adherent onto the evaporator can be removed
with the dehumidified water generated on the evaporator during the drying operation.
Therefore, the scale component contained in the water can be prevented from adhering
onto the evaporator, to remove the lint. As a result, heat exchange efficiency of
the evaporator can be prevented from being lowered. The evaporator in the clothes
dryer can thus be maintained with high performance and reliability for a long period.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0030]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a clothes dryer according to a first exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a time chart showing an operation of the clothes dryer of the exemplary
embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining an operation of the clothes dryer
including a method of cleaning an evaporator in the clothes dryer of the exemplary
embodiment.
FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a flow of water continuously discharged from
a discharging unit during lint removal according to the clothes dryer of the exemplary
embodiment.
FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing a flow of water intermittently discharged from
the discharging unit during lint removal according to the clothes dryer of the exemplary
embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a time chart showing another operation of the clothes dryer of the exemplary
embodiment.
FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of a clothes dryer according to a a further embodiment
not being part of the present invention during lint removal.
FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of the clothes dryer of Fig. 6A during water removal.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a clothes dryer according to the present invention
during lint removal.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a conventional clothes dryer.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with
reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments.
(FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT)
[0032] Hereinafter, a clothes dryer of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention
will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the clothes dryer according to the first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, clothes dryer 1 of this exemplary embodiment includes heat pump
device 7 having at least evaporator 5, drying chamber 9, air passage 10 through which
drying air is circulated in a direction indicated by arrows A, air blower 8, discharging
unit 13 discharging water to evaporator 5, and controller 16.
[0035] In heat pump device 7, compressor 2, condenser 3, expansion device 4, and evaporator
5 are connected with pipe 6 to circulate a refrigerant therebetween. Compressor 2
compresses the refrigerant. Condenser 3 releases heat of the high-temperature and
high-pressure refrigerant compressed by compressor 2. Expansion device 4 includes
e.g., a capillary tube and a valve to reduce a pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant.
With the low-pressure refrigerant reduced in pressure by expansion device 4, evaporator
5 takes heat from e.g., the high-humidity drying air circulated in air passage 10
to dehumidify the drying air.
[0036] Condenser 3 and evaporator 5 in heat pump device 7 include a fin tube heat exchanger
having e.g., a plurality of fins 5a. Pipe 6 is formed of e.g., a copper pipe, and
flows the refrigerant therethrough. Pipe 6 extends through fins 5a. Fins 5a through
which pipe 6 extends are parallel in air passage 10 with predetermined spacing. A
channel for the drying air is formed of a gap between fins 5a. Fins 5a are each formed
of an aluminum plate having e.g., a thickness of 0.08 mm to 0. 2 mm by e.g., punching.
The fin tube heat exchanger is formed by arranging fins 5a through which pipe 6 extends,
at a fin pitch of e.g., approximately 1. 2 mm.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, air passage 10 has therein evaporator 5 cooling and dehumidifying
the drying air, condenser 3 heating the dehumidified low-temperature drying air, and
air blower 8 sucking, exhausting, and blowing the drying air. Both ends of air passage
10 are annually connected to communicate with drying chamber 9 accommodating clothes
20 therein for circulating the drying air. Filter 11 is detachably attached to air
passage 10 between drying chamber 9 and evaporator 5 communicating with each other.
Filter 11 collects lint caused from clothes 20 during a drying operation.
[0038] Drain port 12 is provided below evaporator 5, and drains dehumidified water generated
on evaporator 5 in the drying step. The dehumidified water generated on evaporator
5 is discharged from drain port 12 to an outside of clothes dyer 1.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, discharging unit 13 is provided above end face 5b of evaporator
5 on an upstream side of a flow of the drying air. Discharging unit 13 discharges
the water, such as tap water, to evaporator 5. Water supply valve 15 provided in water
supply path 14 is opened and closed to discharge and stop the water from discharging
unit 13. The water is discharged from discharging unit 13 to end face 5b on an upwind
side of evaporator 5, that is, on a side in which the drying air flowing in air passage
10 in the direction indicated by arrows A flows into evaporator 5. With this, the
lint adherent onto evaporator 5 is removed. The water which is discharged from discharging
unit 13 to remove the lint is discharged from drain port 12 to the outside of clothes
dryer 1.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, controller 16 controls at least compressor 2 in heat pump device
7, air blower 8, and water supply valve 15 to control the drying operation of clothes
dryer 1.
[0041] An operation of the clothes dryer and a method of cleaning the evaporator in the
clothes dryer will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a time chart showing the operation of the clothes dryer of the exemplary
embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of assistance in explaining the clothes dryer including
the method of cleaning the evaporator in the clothes dryer of the exemplary embodiment.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation of clothes dryer 1 is started (step S10).
[0044] Controller 16 intermittently opens and closes (on - off) water supply valve 15 during
e.g., predetermined time 0 to T1 before start of the drying operation. During predetermined
time 0 to T1, the water, such as the tap water, is intermittently discharged from
discharging unit 13 to end face 5b of evaporator 5. With this, a first step of removing
the lint fixed onto end face 5b of evaporator 5 with the water from discharging unit
13 is executed (step S20). The water which removes the lint is discharged from drain
port 12 provided below evaporator 5 to the outside of clothes dryer 1.
[0045] The wording "before start of the drying operation" specifically means "before operation
of compressor 2 in heat pump device 7 and air blower 8".
[0046] Predetermined time 0 to T1 is time corresponding to time to remove the lint adherent
onto evaporator 5, and is set to e.g., 60 seconds. When the predetermined time is
made longer, the drying time becomes longer, which is not convenient for the user.
Therefore, the predetermined time is preferably set to approximately 15 seconds to
90 seconds.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, after elapse of predetermined time T1, controller 16 operates
compressor 2 in heat pump device 7 and air blower 8 to start the drying operation
for an article to be dried, such as clothes 20, thrown into drying chamber 9. Compressor
2 in heat pump device 7 is operated to cool evaporator 5 for executing a second step
(step S30). At the same time, air blower 8 is operated to blow the drying air in air
passage 10 for executing a third step (step S40).
[0048] The drying air which is blown from air blower 8 to be circulated in air passage 10
passes through condenser 3 to be heated with heat released therefrom, and then becomes
hot air to be sent into drying chamber 9. The drying air comes into contact with clothes
20 in drying chamber 9, and then takes the water from clothes 20 for drying. The drying
air becomes high-humidity air by the water taken from clothes 20. The high-humidity
drying air passes through evaporator 5 to be cooled. The drying air whose water vapor
is condensed is dehumidified to form the dehumidified water. Therefore, the dehumidified
water is formed to be clean without containing the scale component.
[0049] After start of the drying operation, the dehumidified water generated due to condensation
on evaporator 5 is moved downward by its own weight along surfaces of fins 5a of evaporator
5. The dehumidified water is moved on the surface of evaporator 5 to remove the water
adherent onto the surface of evaporator 5 in the first step. With this, a fourth step
of removing the water with the dehumidified water is executed (step S50).
[0050] Thereafter, the dehumidified water which is moved downward to take in and remove
the water is discharged from drain port 12 provided below evaporator 5 to the outside
of clothes dryer 1.
[0051] The drying air which is dehumidified by evaporator 5 to have lowered absolute humidity
is heated by condenser 3 again to be blown into drying chamber 9.
[0052] The second to fourth steps are repeated until the clothes is dried, for executing
the drying operation (step S60).
[0053] From the above, the drying operation is executed.
[0054] During the drying operation for the clothes, in heat pump device 7, when controller
16 operates compressor 2, heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant
compressed by compressor 2 is released by condenser 3. The heat-released high-pressure
refrigerant is reduced in pressure by expansion device 4 to have low pressure and
low temperature. The low-pressure and low-temperature refrigerant takes heat from
the drying air in evaporator 5 to return into compressor 2 again. That is, a heat
amount obtained by adding a heat amount obtained from input power into compressor
2 to a heat amount taken by the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant in evaporator
5 is released from condenser 3. Therefore, heat energy released from condenser 3 into
the drying air is substantially equal to the sum of the heat amount obtained from
the input power into compressor 2 and the heat amount taken from the drying air in
evaporator 5.
[0055] Condenser 3 can obtain an output (heat energy) above the input power inputted into
compressor 2 to heat the drying air which can then be thrown into clothes 20 in drying
chamber 9. With this, the drying air dehumidified in evaporator 5 and heated by the
condenser is thrown into drying chamber 9, and comes into contact with clothes 20
for drying.
[0056] As the drying of clothes 20 proceeds, the lint is caused from clothes 20. The caused
lint is mixed into the drying air, is conveyed to filter 11 by the circulated drying
air, and is collected by filter 11.
[0057] However, to ensure a fixed amount of air blown and to prevent excessive power consumption,
typically, a mesh of filter 11 cannot be made finer. Therefore, part of the lint can
pass through filter 11 without being collected by filter 11. The lint which passes
through filter 11 adheres onto end face 5b of evaporator 5 on the upstream side of
the direction in which the drying air flows. In this exemplary embodiment, the fin
pitch in evaporator 5 is e.g., approximately 1. 2 mm. Accordingly, the lint which
passes through filter 11 adheres only onto end face 5b of evaporator 5.
[0058] After completion of the drying operation for the article to be dried, such as clothes
20, the lint adheres onto filter 11 and end face 5b of evaporator 5. In this case,
the user can remove the lint adherent onto filter 11 by detaching detachable filter
11. However, the user cannot remove the lint adherent onto evaporator 5.
[0059] The amount of the lint adherent onto evaporator 5 is small at an early stage in which
the number of drying operations is low. However, as the number of drying operations
is increased, a large amount of lint adheres onto evaporator 5. Consequently, air
passage pressure loss in evaporator 5 is gradually increased to gradually decrease
the amount of the circulated drying air. As a result, drying performance of the clothes
dryer is lowered with increase of the number of drying operations.
[0060] Therefore, as described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, in this exemplary embodiment,
controller 16 intermittently opens and closes water supply valve 15 e.g., before start
of the drying operation. During the predetermined time (e.g., 60 seconds, and opening
time and closing time are substantially the same (or the same)), the water is intermittently
discharged from discharging unit 13 to end face 5b of evaporator 5 onto which the
lint is adherent. With this, the lint adherent onto evaporator 5 is removed.
[0061] The reason why the water is intermittently discharged from discharging unit 13 will
be described below with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0062] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a flow of the water continuously discharged
from the discharging unit during lint removal according to the clothes dryer of the
exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing a flow of the water intermittently
discharged from the discharging unit during lint removal according to the clothes
dryer of the exemplary embodiment.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 4A, the lint is separated with the water continuously discharged
from discharging unit 13, and is then collected to be a lump. In this state, the discharged
water can flow so as to avoid the lump of the collected lint. In this case, as indicated
by arrows B, the water continuously flows in such a manner as to avoid the lint lump.
Consequently, the lint cannot be removed.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 4B, the water is intermittently discharged from discharging unit
13 to form the lint lump, as indicated by arrows C, and then is repeatedly collided
therewith. Repeated collision of the intermittently discharged water with the lint
lump can gradually separate the originally adherent lint and the separated-lint lump
to remove the lint adherent onto evaporator 5.
[0065] As described above, in this exemplary embodiment, before start of the drying operation,
the water, such as the tap water, is discharged from discharging unit 13 to remove
the lint adherent onto evaporator 5. In this state, the water containing the scale
component is adherent onto evaporator 5. Thereafter, the dehumidified water generated
on evaporator 5 removes the water adherent onto evaporator 5. That is, before start
of the drying operation, the water which removes the lint can be washed away and removed
with the dehumidified water generated due to condensation on evaporator 5 during the
drying operation. The water adherent onto evaporator 5 is removed with the dehumidified
water before it is dried on the surface of evaporator 5. Therefore, the scale component
contained in the water can be prevented from adhering and fixed onto evaporator 5,
to remove the lint.
[0066] This can prevent clogging in evaporator 5 due to the lint and adhesion and accumulation
of the scale component contained in the water. As a result, heat exchange efficiency
of evaporator 5 can be prevented from being lowered to maintain high drying performance.
[0067] Another operation of the clothes dryer according to this exemplary embodiment and
a method of cleaning the evaporator in the clothes dryer will be described below with
reference to FIGS. 3 and 5.
[0068] FIG. 5 is a time chart showing another operation of the clothes dryer of the exemplary
embodiment.
[0069] That is, the operation of the clothes dryer of this exemplary embodiment is different
from the operation described with reference to FIG. 2 in that compressor 2 in heat
pump device 7 is operated to operate air blower 8 after elapse of predetermined time.
The operation of the clothes dryer will be specifically described.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 5, the operation of clothes dryer 1 is started (step S10).
[0071] Controller 16 intermittently opens and closes (on - off) water supply valve 15 during
e.g., predetermined time 0 to T1 before start of the drying operation. During predetermined
time 0 to T1, the water, such as the tap water, is intermittently discharged from
discharging unit 13 to end face 5b of evaporator 5. With this, the first step of removing
the lint fixed onto end face 5b of evaporator 5 with the water from discharging unit
13 is executed (step S20). The water which removes the lint is discharged from drain
port 12 provided below evaporator 5 to the outside of clothes dryer 1.
[0072] The wording "before start of the drying operation" specifically means "before operation
of compressor 2 in heat pump device 7 and air blower 8".
[0073] After the lint is removed from evaporator 5, controller 16 closes water supply valve
15 to stop water supply.
[0074] After elapse of predetermined time T2 from operation of compressor 2, controller
16 operates air blower 8 to start the drying operation. Predetermined time T1 to T2
is time from operation of compressor 2 to operation of air blower 8, and is set to
e.g., 10 seconds. When predetermined time T1 to T2 is made longer, temperatures of
compressor 2 and condenser 3 become higher to apply an excessive load to heat pump
device 7. Therefore, predetermined time T1 to T2 is preferably set to approximately
5 seconds to 30 seconds which is time to prevent the excessive load even when compressor
2 is singly operated.
[0075] More specifically, a surface of evaporator 5 before start of the drying operation
is wet with the water discharged for removing the lint from discharging unit 13. When
compressor 2 is operated, evaporator 5 is cooled, so that the water adherent onto
evaporator 5 is also cooled. After elapse of predetermined time T2 from operation
of compressor 2, controller 16 operates air blower 8 to start the drying operation
to dry the clothes.
[0076] With this, evaporator 5 is cooled with the refrigerant before the drying air is blown.
The water adherent onto evaporator 5 is cooled to lower its temperature. The water
is thus unlikely to be dried. In this state, when the drying of clothes 20 proceeds,
the dehumidified water is condensed onto entire evaporator 5.
[0077] The dehumidified water generated due to condensation on evaporator 5 is moved downward
by its own weight along surfaces of fins 5a of evaporator 5, and is then discharged
from drain port 12 provided below evaporator 5 to the outside of clothes dryer 1.
At this time, the water adherent onto evaporator 5 in a wet state is discharged together
with the dehumidified water. With this, the water adherent onto evaporator 5 is removed
with the dehumidified water. The scale can thus be prevented from adhering onto evaporator
5, the scale being caused in the water which removes the lint to be dried. As a result,
lowered heat exchange efficiency due to adhesion of the scale contained in the water
can be prevented. Even when used for a long period, the clothes dryer is unlikely
to lower drying performance.
(SECOND EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT)
[0078] Hereinafter, a clothes dryer according to a second exemplary embodiment that is not
part of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B.
[0079] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of the clothes dryer according to the second exemplary
embodiment during lint removal. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of the clothes dryer
of the exemplary embodiment during water removal.
[0080] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in the clothes dryer of this exemplary embodiment, water
discharge area 17 discharging the water, such as the tap water, discharged from discharging
unit 13 into evaporator 5 is equal to or smaller than water removal area 18 removing
the water with the dehumidified water generated on evaporator 5 and to a part of evaporator
5. Other configurations are the same as the first exemplary embodiment. The same configurations
are indicated by similar reference numerals, and the first exemplary embodiment is
cited for the detailed description.
[0081] That is, discharging unit 13 removing the lint adherent onto evaporator 5 discharges
the water to near end face 5b of evaporator 5. The dehumidified water which removes
the water adherent onto evaporator 5 is generated on entire evaporator 5 to wash away
the water from the surface of evaporator 5.
[0082] Specifically, water discharge area 17 shown in FIG. 6A and discharging the water
from discharging unit 13 into evaporator 5 is equal to or smaller than water removal
area 18 shown in FIG. 6B and removing the water with the dehumidified water generated
on entire evaporator 5 and to a part of evaporator 5.
[0083] That is, water discharge area 17 is within water removal area 18. The water can thus
be concentratively discharged to near end face 5b of evaporator 5 onto which a large
amount of lint adheres. With this, the lint adherent onto evaporator 5 can be removed
more certainly. In addition, the scale can be certainly prevented from adhering onto
evaporator 5, the scale being caused in the water which remains after lint removal
to be evaporated.
(THIRD EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT)
[0084] Hereinafter, a clothes dryer according to the present invention will be described
with reference to FIG. 7.
[0085] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the clothes dryer according to the third exemplary
embodiment of the present invention during lint removal.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 7, in the clothes dryer of this exemplary embodiment, discharging
unit 13 is provided above a downstream side of end face 5b on the upstream side of
evaporator 5 into which the drying air flows, and discharges the water to end face
5b on the upstream side of evaporator 5. Other configurations are the same as the
first exemplary embodiment. The same configurations are indicated by similar reference
numerals, and the first exemplary embodiment is cited for the detailed description.
[0087] That is, as shown in FIG. 7, discharging unit 13 is provided above the downstream
side of evaporator 5 in the direction in which the drying air flows. Discharging unit
13 discharges the water to the lint adherent onto end face 5b of evaporator 5.
[0088] In this case, a direction of the water discharged from discharging unit 13 is opposite
to the direction in which the drying air flows. With this, the water can be discharged
from the substantially opposite direction of a direction in which the lint adheres
(or from an interior of evaporator 5). As a result, the water can be discharged from
the interior of evaporator 5 to effectively pullably separate the lint adherent onto
the end face 5b of evaporator 5 to outside.
[0089] In addition, the lint can be pullably separated so as to be pushed out with the water
to the upstream side of evaporator 5. The lint can be separated more easily than when
the water is vertically discharged to pullably separate the lint. With this, the lint
lump is unlikely to be caused. As a result, the lint can be easily removed even when
a pressure of the water is low.
[0090] In each of the exemplary embodiments, as the water removing the lint adherent onto
evaporator 5, the tap water is used. However, the present invention is not limited
to this. For instance, the water may be filtered bath water and well water, and water
which washes away the lint and is dried on the surface of evaporator 5 to leave the
scale. In this case, the same effect as the exemplary embodiments can be obtained.
[0091] In each of the exemplary embodiments, the pressure of the water, such as the tap
water, supplied from outside through water supply path 14 discharges the water from
the discharging unit 13 to remove the lint. However, the present invention is not
limited to this. For instance, a discharging pump may be provided ahead of discharging
unit 13 to pressurize and discharge the water. With this, even in a place in which
the pressure of the water, such as the tap water, is low, sufficient lint removal
performance can be ensured. Further, when there is no water supply equipment outside,
a water supply tank and a discharging pump are provided, the water supply tank storing
therein the water, such as the tap water, and the discharging pump discharging the
water in the water supply tank. The water supply tank and the discharging pump may
be combined together with the water supply passage and the water supply valve of the
exemplary embodiments to configure the clothes dryer. With this, a selection area
of a place for use can be widened to enhance general-purpose properties.
[0092] In each of the exemplary embodiments, the water is intermittently discharged from
the discharging unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For instance,
high-pressure water may be continuously discharged.
[0093] In each of the exemplary embodiments, the on and off periods during intermittent
discharge of the water are the same. However, the present invention is not limited
to this. The on and off periods may be optional.
[0094] In each of the exemplary embodiments, the fin pitch in evaporator 5 is approximately
1.2 mm. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For instance, the fin
pitch may be made narrower to configure evaporator 5. With this, the lint can adhere
onto end face 5b of evaporator 5 more certainly. As a result, the lint can be easily
removed. However, when the fin pitch is made narrower, air passage pressure loss in
the drying air which passes through the channel of evaporator 5 is increased. Therefore,
the fin pitch is preferably set to a value in which a balance between lint removal
and air passage pressure loss is optimum.
[0095] In each of the exemplary embodiments, the present invention has been described by
taking the clothes dryer as an example. However, the present invention is not limited
to this. For instance, the present invention may be a washer dryer having a washing
function and performing washing and drying. The same effect can be obtained.
[0096] As described above, the clothes dryer of the present invention includes a drying
chamber for accommodating therein an article to be dried;an air passage through which
drying air discharged from the drying chamber is circulated into the drying chamber
again;a heat pump device provided in the air passage and including a compressor, a
condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator connecting with a pipe to circulate
a refrigerant;an air blower for blowing air into the air passage;a discharging unit
for discharging water to the evaporator; anda controller for controlling a drying
operation,wherein the controller is configured to control a water supply valve to
supply the water to the discharging unit, and to operate the compressor to cool the
evaporator after discharging the water to the evaporator;wherein after elapse of a
predetermined time from operation of the compressor, the controller operates the air
blower;wherein water generated on the evaporator during the drying operation removes
the water which is discharged and adhered onto the evaporator, wherein said water
which is discharged from the discharging unit is any one of a tap water, bath water
and well water; the clothes dryer further comprising:a drain port provided below the
evaporator and configured to discharge the water generated on the evaporator and the
water discharged from the discharging unit to an outside of the clothes dryer;wherein
the discharging unit is provided above a downwind side of an end face on an upwind
side of the evaporator, said upwind side being a side in which the drying air flows
into the evaporator, said downwind side being opposite to the upwind side,wherein
the discharging unit discharges the water to the end face on the upwind side of the
evaporator from above the evaporator,wherein the discharging unit discharges the water
to a lint adhered onto the end face of the evaporator,wherein the discharging unit
discharges the water in a direction opposite to the direction in which the drying
air flows.
[0097] With this, the dehumidified water generated on the evaporator during the drying operation
can remove the water which removes the lint. Therefore, the scale component contained
in the water can be prevented from adhering onto the evaporator, to remove the lint.
As a result, heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator configuring the heat exchanger
in the heat pump device can be prevented from being lowered. The clothes dryer can
thus stably maintain drying performance for a long period.
[0098] According to the clothes dryer of the present invention, after elapse of the predetermined
time from operation of the compressor, the controller operates the air blower. With
this, the evaporator can be cooled by the refrigerant before the drying air is blown.
Therefore, the water adherent onto the evaporator can be cooled to be unlikely to
be dried. As a result, the water which removes the lint can be prevented from being
evaporated, and can be removed with the dehumidified water generated on the evaporator.
[0099] According to the clothes dryer of the present invention, the controller intermittently
discharges the water from the discharging unit. With this, when the lint separated
with the discharged water is collected to be a lump, the water is repeatedly intermittently
collided with the lint lump so that the lint can be separated more certainly. As a
result, the lint adherent onto the evaporator can be removed more efficiently.
[0100] According to the clothes dryer of the present invention, the water discharge area
of the discharging unit discharging the water to the evaporator is a part of the evaporator.
With this, the water can be concentratively discharged to a portion of the evaporator
onto which a large amount of lint adheres. The lint adherent onto the evaporator can
thus be removed more efficiently. Further, the water adherent onto the wide area of
the evaporator can be removed with the dehumidified water more certainly. As a result,
the scale caused in the water which remains on the surface of the evaporator to be
evaporated can be prevented from adhering onto the evaporator.
[0101] According to the clothes dryer of the present invention, the discharging unit is
provided near the end face on the upstream side of the evaporator into which the drying
air flows. With this, the water can be concentratively discharged to near the end
face of the evaporator onto which a large amount of lint is likely to adhere.
[0102] According to the clothes dryer of the present invention, the discharging unit is
provided at the downstream side of the end face on the upstream side of the evaporator
into which the drying air flows, and the discharging unit discharges the water to
the end face on the upstream side of the evaporator. With this, the water can be discharged
onto the end face of the evaporator from the direction opposite to the side in which
the lint flows to adhere. As a result, the water is discharged from the interior of
the evaporator to effectively pullably separate the lint adherent onto the end face
of the evaporator to the outside.
[0103] According to the clothes dryer of the present invention, the water is any one of
the tap water, bath water, and well water. With this, the clothes dryer can be excellent
in general-purpose properties.
[0104] The method of cleaning the evaporator in the clothes dryer of the present invention
includes a drying chamber for accommodating therein an article to be dried;an air
passage through which drying air discharged from the drying chamber is circulated
into the drying chamber again; a heat pump device provided in the air passage and
including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator connecting
with a pipe to circulate a refrigerant;an air blower for blowing air into the passage;
a discharging unit for discharging water to the evaporator; wherein the discharging
unit is provided above a downwind side of an end face on an upwind side of the evaporator,
said upwind side being a side in which the drying air flows into the evaporator, said
downwind side being opposite to the upwind side; a controller for controlling a drying
operation, wherein the controller controls a water supply valve to supply the water
to the discharging unit, and operates the compressor to cool the evaporator after
discharging the water to the evaporator; anda drain port provided below the evaporator
for discharging the water generated on the evaporator and the water discharged from
the discharging unit; the method comprising: a first step of discharging water to
the evaporator in the heat pump device to remove lint adherent onto the evaporator,
said water being any one of a tap water, bath water and well water; wherein in the
first step the water is discharged to the end face on the upwind side of the evaporator
from above the evaporator,wherein the water is discharged to the lint adhered onto
the end face of the evaporator, wherein the water discharged from the discharging
unit is discharged in a direction opposite to the direction in which the drying air
flows; a second step of operating the compressor to cool the evaporator;a third step
of operating the air blower to blow the drying air, wherein after elapse of a predetermined
time from execution of the second step, the third step is executed; a fourth step
of removing the water which is discharged and adhered to the evaporator with water
which is generated on the evaporator during the drying process; and a step of discharging
the water generated on the evaporator and the water discharged from the discharging
unit to the outside of the clothes dryer. With the afore-mentioned four steps, the
water which removes the lint adherent onto the evaporator can be removed with the
dehumidified water generated on the evaporator during the drying operation. Therefore,
the scale component contained in the water can be prevented from adhering onto the
evaporator, to remove the lint. As a result, heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator
can be prevented from being lowered. The evaporator in the clothes dryer can thus
be maintained with high performance and reliability for a long period.
[0105] According to the method of cleaning the evaporator in the clothes dryer of the present
invention, after elapse of the predetermined time from execution of the second step,
the third step is executed. With this, the evaporator can be cooled by the refrigerant
before the drying air is blown. Therefore, the water adherent onto the evaporator
can be cooled to be unlikely to be dried. As a result, the water which removes the
lint can be prevented from being evaporated, and can be removed with the dehumidified
water generated on the evaporator.
[0106] According to the method of cleaning the evaporator in the clothes dryer of the present
invention, the water is any one of the tap water, bath water, and well water. With
this, the clothes dryer can be excellent in general-purpose properties.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0107] The present invention is useful for the field of the clothes dryer in which the scale
adheres onto the evaporator so that heat exchange efficiency is likely to be lowered.
REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS
[0108]
- 1
- clothes dryer
- 2, 54
- compressor
- 3, 55
- condenser
- 4, 56
- expansion device
- 5, 57
- evaporator
- 5a
- fin
- 5b
- end face
- 6, 58
- pipe
- 7, 59
- heat pump device
- 8, 63
- air blower
- 9
- drying chamber
- 10
- air passage
- 11
- filter
- 12
- drain port
- 13
- discharging unit
- 14
- water supply path
- 15, 64
- water supply valve
- 16
- controller
- 17
- water discharge area
- 18
- water removal area
- 20, 51
- clothes
- 52
- drum
- 53
- outer tub
- 60
- circulation air passage
- 61
- exhaust port
- 62
- air blow port
- 65
- cleaning unit
1. Wäschetrockner (1), der umfasst:
eine Trockenkammer (9) zum Aufnehmen eines zu trocknenden Artikels (20) darin;
einen Luftkanal (10), durch den die aus der Trockenkammer (9) abgegebene Trocknungsluft
wieder in die Trockenkammer (9) umgewälzt wird;
eine Wärmepumpenvorrichtung (7), die im Luftkanal (10) zur Verfügung gestellt wird
und einen Kompressor (2), einen Kondensator (3), eine Expansionsvorrichtung (4) und
einen Verdampfer (5) aufweist, die mit einem Rohr (6) verbunden sind, um ein Kältemittel
umzuwälzen;
ein Luftgebläse (8) zum Einblasen von Luft in den Luftkanal (10);
eine Abgabeeinheit (13) zum Abgeben von Wasser an den Verdampfer (5) und
eine Steuerung (16) zum Steuern eines Trocknungsvorgangs,
wobei die Steuerung (16) konfiguriert ist, um ein Wasserzufuhrventil (15) zu steuern,
um das Wasser der Abgabeeinheit (13) zuzuführen und um den Kompressor (2) so zu betreiben,
dass der Verdampfer (5) nach dem Abgeben des Wassers an den Verdampfer (5) gekühlt
wird;
wobei nach Ablauf einer vorgegebenen Zeit ab dem Betreiben des Kompressors (2) die
Steuerung (16) das Luftgebläse (8) betreibt;
wobei das während des Trocknungsvorgangs an dem Verdampfer (5) erzeugte Wasser das
Wasser entfernt, das abgegeben wurde und an dem Verdampfer (5) haftet,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:
das Wasser, das aus der Abgabeeinheit (13) abgegeben wird, ein Leitungswasser, Badewasser
oder Brunnenwasser ist;
wobei der Wäschetrockner (1) des Weiteren umfasst:
eine Ablassöffnung (12), die unter dem Verdampfer (5) zur Verfügung gestellt wird
und konfiguriert ist, um das an dem Verdampfer (5) erzeugte Wasser und das von der
Abgabeeinheit (13) abgegebene Wasser in einen Außenbereich des Wäschetrockners (1)
abzugeben;
wobei die Abgabeeinheit (13) über einer Seite in Windrichtung einer Stirnfläche an
einer Seite des Verdampfers (5) gegen die Windrichtung zur Verfügung gestellt wird,
wobei die Seite gegen die Windrichtung eine Seite ist, in der die Trocknungsluft in
den Verdampfer (5) strömt, wobei die Seite in Windrichtung der Seite gegen die Windrichtung
gegenüberliegt,
wobei die Abgabeeinheit (13) das Wasser zur Stirnfläche (5b) an der Seite gegen die
Windrichtung des Verdampfers (5) von oberhalb des Verdampfers (5) abgibt,
wobei die Abgabeeinheit (13) das Wasser an eine an der Stirnfläche (5b) des Verdampfers
(5) haftende Fluse abgibt,
wobei die Abgabeeinheit (13) das Wasser so abgibt, dass eine Richtung des Wassers
in einer Richtung entgegengesetzt zu der Richtung abgegeben wird, in die die Trocknungsluft
strömt.
2. Wäschetrockner (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Steuerung konfiguriert ist, um das Wasserzufuhrventil
(15) so zu steuern, dass das Wasser intermittierend aus der Abgabeeinheit (13) abgegeben
wird.
3. Wäschetrockner (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei ein Wasserabgabebereich der Abgabeeinheit
(13), die das Wasser an den Verdampfer (5) abgibt, ein Teil des Verdampfers (5) ist.
4. Verfahren zum Reinigen eines Verdampfers (5) in einem Wäschetrockner (1), das umfasst:
eine Trockenkammer (9) zur Aufnahme eines zu trocknenden Artikels (20) darin;
einen Luftkanal (10), durch den die aus der Trockenkammer (9) abgegebene Trocknungsluft
wieder in die Trockenkammer (9) umgewälzt wird;
eine Wärmepumpenvorrichtung (7), die im Luftkanal (10) zur Verfügung gestellt wird
und einen Kompressor (2), einen Kondensator (3), eine Expansionsvorrichtung (4) und
einen Verdampfer (5) aufweist, die mit einem Rohr (6) verbunden sind, um ein Kältemittel
umzuwälzen;
ein Luftgebläse (8) zum Einblasen von Luft in den Luftkanal (10);
eine Abgabeeinheit (13) zum Abgeben von Wasser an den Verdampfer (5);
wobei die Abgabeeinheit (13) über einer Seite in Windrichtung einer Stirnfläche an
einer Seite des Verdampfers (5) gegen die Windrichtung zur Verfügung gestellt wird,
wobei die Seite gegen die Windrichtung eine Seite ist, in der die Trocknungsluft in
den Verdampfer (5) strömt, wobei die Seite in Windrichtung der Seite gegen die Windrichtung
gegenüberliegt,
eine Steuerung (16) zum Steuern eines Trocknungsvorgangs, wobei die Steuerung (16)
ein Wasserzufuhrventil (15) zum Zuführen des Wassers in die Abgabeeinheit (13) steuert
und den Kompressor (2) betreibt, um den Verdampfer (5) nach dem Abgeben des Wassers
an den Verdampfer (5) zu kühlen; und
eine Ablassöffnung (12), die unter dem Verdampfer (5) zum Abgeben des an dem Verdampfer
(5) erzeugten Wassers und des von der Abgabeeinheit (13) abgegebenen Wassers zur Verfügung
gestellt wird;
wobei das Verfahren umfasst:
einen ersten Schritt zum Abgeben von Wasser an den Verdampfer (5) in der Wärmepumpenvorrichtung
(7), um an dem Verdampfer (5) haftende Flusen zu entfernen, wobei das Wasser Leitungswasser,
Badewasser oder Brunnenwasser ist;
wobei im ersten Schritt das Wasser zur Stirnfläche (5b) auf der Seite in Windrichtung
des Verdampfers (5) von oberhalb des Verdampfers (5) abgegeben wird,
wobei das Wasser an die an der Stirnfläche (5b) des Verdampfers (5) haftende Fluse
abgegeben wird,
wobei das von der Abgabeeinheit (13) abgegebene Wasser so abgegeben wird, dass eine
Richtung des abgegebenen Wassers in einer Richtung entgegengesetzt zu der Richtung
liegt, in die die Trocknungsluft strömt;
einen zweiten Schritt zum Betreiben des Kompressors (2), um den Verdampfer (5) zu
kühlen;
einen dritten Schritt zum Betreiben des Luftgebläses (8), um die Trocknungsluft einzublasen,
wobei nach Ablauf einer vorgegebenen Zeit ab Ausführung des zweiten Schrittes der
dritte Schritt ausgeführt wird;
einen vierten Schritt zum Entfernen des Wassers, das abgegeben wird und an dem Verdampfer
(5) mit Wasser haftet, das an dem Verdampfer (5) während des Trocknungsprozesses erzeugt
wird; und
einen Schritt zum Abgeben des am Verdampfer (5) erzeugten Wassers und des von der
Abgabeeinheit (13) abgegebenen Wassers in den Außenbereich des Wäschetrockners (1).