[0001] The invention relates to a laundry treatment machine, like a dryer or washing machine
having dryer function, with an air channel section in which air guiding units are
arranged to direct partial air flows along an intended direction.
[0002] DE 81 25 929 U1 suggests a compact basement of a condenser dryer. The dryer has an ambient air/process
air heat exchanger where ambient air is used to cool the process air for air humidity
condensation. The ambient cooling air is sucked in by a blower through a front opening.
The cooling air conveyed by the blower is guided in a channel to a higher level in
the basement where the heat exchanger is arranged. After heat exchanging the cooling
air exits the heat exchanger and is passed downward to a cooling air outlet. In the
channel section close to the air outlet blades are arranged to exhaust the cooling
air in a direction away from the cooling air inlet to avoid a short-circuit of the
cooling air flow. In the channel section between the blower and the heat exchanger
guiding blades are arranged that direct the ambient cooling air flow towards an opening
that connects the lower to the upper level of the dryer basement.
[0003] From
EP 1 550 763 A2 a condenser-type dryer is known using ambient air for removing heat and humidity
from a closed loop process air circuit. For preventing process air leakage at the
rear side of the dryer, an air guide is provided partially surrounding a blower at
the exit side. The air guide assists in directing the process air flow towards a heater
arranged in a channel downstream the blower.
[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a laundry treatment machine having a
heat exchanger and a blower in which the energy efficiency is improved, in which in
particular the heat change rate efficiency of the heat exchanger and/or the conveyance
efficiency of the blower is improved.
[0005] The invention is defined in claim 1. Particular embodiments of the invention are
set out in the dependent claims.
[0006] In a conventional flow system where air is passed through a heat exchanger, the air
exiting the heat exchanger is guided in an air channel having edges and deflections.
Due to the edges and deflections downstream the outlet of the heat exchanger turbulences
are induced which result in an uneven flow distribution with respect to the flow rate
per unit area at the heat exchanger outlet. Moreover even in case of a laminar flow
there is a parabolic air flow speed distribution over the outlet cross section. This
normally results in lower flow speeds at outer regions and higher flow speeds at inner
regions of the heat exchanger relating to the cross section perpendicular to the main
flow direction through the heat exchanger. Thereby the heat exchange rate between
the passing air and the heat exchanger surfaces is non-homogeneous over the cross
section. The heat exchangers efficiency would be improved, if a more homogeneous flow
distribution could be achieved. This is one problem to be addressed with the present
invention.
[0007] Further the blower efficiency, more precisely the flow rate at constant blower power,
is reduced, if in a channel section, where the air is conveyed through by the blower
activity, turbulences, eddy flows or back flows occur. I.e. when the regime of laminar
unidirectional flow through the channel is left. The tendency to non-laminar flow
increases at edges or at deflections in flow direction. Preferably the solution according
to the invention addresses both problems.
[0008] According to claim 1 a laundry treatment machine is provided, in particular a laundry
dryer or washing machine having drying function. The dryer may be a condenser-type
dryer like a condenser dryer using ambient air for cooling and thus dehumidifying
the process air, or a heat pump dryer. The washing machine having dryer function also
may use this type of drying arrangement. The laundry machine has a process air loop
in which the process air is circulated through a laundry storing compartment, a heat
exchanger for cooling or heating the process air, a blower for conveying the process
air and a process air channel section guiding the process air between the outlet of
the heat exchanger and the inlet of the blower. Preferably the laundry storing compartment
is a laundry drum and more preferably a horizontally rotating drum or drum having
its rotation axis inclined in a range up to 30° to the horizontal plane.
[0009] The heat exchanger exchanges heat with the process air passing through the heat exchanger.
In case the heat exchanger is an ambient or external air/process air heat exchanger,
heat from the process air is transferred to the ambient or external air. A heater
may be arranged in the channel section between the heat exchanger outlet and the blower
inlet and/or downstream the blower and upstream the laundry storing compartment. In
case the heat exchanger is the refrigerant cooler of a heat pump system, heat is transferred
from the refrigerant to the process air to heat it after being cooled in a refrigerant
heater of the heat pump system.
[0010] The blower conveys the process air and has a suction inlet which is the outlet of
the process air channel section coming from the heat exchanger. This process air channel
section is also denoted as 'air channel' for simplicity. The terms 'upstream' and
'downstream' herein refers to the location of a component with respect to the process
air main flow. Seen from outside, the air channel guides the process air from the
heat exchanger outlet to the blower inlet. The air channel preferably provides at
least one deflection and/or at least one cross section change (e.g. a cross section
reduction) at the flow path of the process air from the heat exchanger outlet to the
blower inlet. The air channel inlet is the heat exchanger outlet.
[0011] A flow guiding and partition unit is arranged within the air channel and comprises
at least one flow partition wall. The flow partition wall spans at least a portion
of a section through the cross section of the air channel, wherein this cross section
is perpendicular to the main flow direction through the air channel. The flow partition
wall divides an air flow in the channel into partial flows, one is on one side of
the wall and the other is at the other side of the wall. The partition wall has thus
guiding function as it also represents a partition element which constricts the two
partial flows at least at one side along the partial flow path along the partition
wall. The partition wall prevents air exchange or flow between the two partial flows
and thus reduces the likelihood of backflow or turbulences. In particular the two
process air partial flows are prevented from mixing or mutually influencing between
the front edge and the rear edge of the partition wall, preferably along a section
of the partition wall having at least one air flow deflection. Each partial flow is
confined by the partition wall and another or several other partition walls and/or
the inner walls of the air channel.
[0012] Thus by the invention, turbulences and/or backflow at the flow path along the partition
wall(s) from the outlet of the heat exchanger to the inlet of the blower are reduced.
Also by this the suction force of the blower is distributed more evenly from the blower
suction inlet towards the outlet of the heat exchanger. As the suction force of the
blower is acting more evenly distributed over the outlet area, the flow speed and
thus the flow rate is distributed more evenly over the heat exchanger cross section
(which is perpendicular to the process air main direction).
[0013] According to an embodiment, a front edge of at least one of the flow partition walls
or of each of the flow partition walls is arranged facing and close to or intersecting
the area of the heat exchanger outlet. Preferably the front edge of the at least one
flow partition walls is in front of the heat exchanger outlet or even contacting the
fins of heat exchanger. Thus the air flow coming out of the heat exchanger is immediately
split into partial flows. The outlet area of the heat exchanger is intersected into
sectors forming the inlets of the respective partial flows. There is no or only minimal
air flow exchange of mating partial flows coming from the heat exchanger outlet and
entering the mapping sector inlet.
[0014] In an embodiment at least some of the partition walls are deflection walls, preferably
the partition walls having a top-down or vertical extension have deflection function.
In addition to the partition wall or walls providing deflection function one or more
partition walls may be provided which are or which are essentially planar or flat.
For example the (essentially) planar/flat partition wall(s) have or essentially have
no curvature or bending along their course in flow direction. Preferably one or more
horizontally extending partition walls are (essentially) planar or flat, e.g. have
(essentially) no curvature or bending with respect to the horizontal plane. The one
or more non-deflecting partition walls may be arranged with vertical or horizontal
extension. Generally a partition wall with horizontal extension may be considered
as forming an intermediate bottom and/or ceiling element.
[0015] Preferably the flow guiding and partition unit is arranged between the inner walls
of the air channel, preferably between the vertical side walls of the air channel.
In the preferred embodiment the laundry treatment machine has a basement unit in which
the heat exchanger, the air channel and the blower are arranged, wherein the air channel
fluidly connects the heat exchanger outlet to the blower inlet. Preferably the heat
exchanger with its outlet is arranged at or in the region of a first side of the basement
unit and the blower suction inlet is arranged at or in the region of a second side
of the basement unit such that the air channel runs from the first to the second side.
The two sides can also be located diagonally displaced to each other in the basement
unit. Preferably the heat exchanger is a condenser and part of a heat pump system
where the evaporator is arranged together with the condenser in a battery channel.
The first side may be the right (and/or front) side and the second side may be the
left (and/or rear) side of the basement unit - or vice versa. Using the flow guiding
and partitioning unit in a deflecting air channel (which has at least one process
air flow deflection) is particular useful in enforcing flow homogeneity through the
heat exchanger. For example when the blower suction inlet is arranged not in line
with or offset to or under an angle with a process air main flow axis of the process
air flow passing the heat exchanger. Then the air channel deflects the process air
at least one time between the heat exchanger outlet and the blower suction inlet.
And by providing at least one partition wall element that deflects the partial flows
in correspondence or matching to the deflection of the air channel reduces the tendency
of turbulences or inhomogeneous flow distribution through the deflection section of
the air channel significantly.
[0016] Generally and in an embodiment, when the guiding and partitioning unit has at least
one of the or each of the flow partition walls with at least one deflection in its
course between its front edge and its rear edge, the flow resistance along the partial
flow path that is guided by the at least one deflecting partition wall may be adjusted
(increased or reduced - depending on the flow behavior if the respective flow partition
wall would not be provided). Thereby the flow resistances of the partial flows may
be balanced to each other such that the (averaged and weighted by area) flow rate
of the partial flows is more homogeneous.
[0017] In an embodiment the rear edge of the or of each flow partition wall is arranged
in the deflecting air channel intersecting the cross section of the deflecting air
channel or is arranged intersecting the area of the blower suction inlet. Alternatively
the rear edges of a portion of partition walls are within the air channel spaced from
the blower suction inlet and the rear edges of a portion of partition walls intersect
the area of the blower suction inlet. Thus at least one of the partial flows may be
guided by the partition wall from the heat exchanger sector outlet to the blower suction
sector inlet such that the suction capacity of the blower at that sector is transferred
from the sector outlet to the sector inlet without interference by another partial
flow.
[0018] Preferably at least a wall section of at least one, two or more of the partition
walls is arranged perpendicular or at an angle in a range of 80 to 100° or 70 to 110°
with respect to the main flow direction through the heat exchanger. In other words
the wall section(s) of the at least one, tow or more partition walls are running parallel
or essentially parallel (e.g. within a range of ±5°, ±10° or ±20°) to the plane of
the heat exchanger outlet.. Alternatively or additionally the wall section of the
at least one, two or more of the partition walls is arranged such that it is facing
a section of the heat exchanger outlet in direct line of sight. For example, if seen
from front side of the laundry treatment machine, a projection of a portion of the
heat exchanger outlet towards the rear side falls on the corresponding wall section
of the at least one partition wall and/or there is no obstacle between the wall section
of the at least one partition wall and a corresponding (projected) section at the
heat exchanger outlet.
[0019] This means the wall section is in opposition and/or is substantially perpendicular
to a section of the heat exchanger outlet such that flow coming from the corresponding
portion of the heat exchanger outlet is deflected at least by this wall section. For
the deflection no interference with other partial flows leaving the heat exchanger
at other sectors exists and trend to turbulences or mutual suppression of flows (e.g.
due to increased flow resistance) is significantly reduced.
[0020] In an embodiment the front edges of the flow partition wall or flow partition walls
divide the cross section of the heat exchanger outlet into partial flow inlet sectors,
wherein the partial flow entering one of the partial flow inlet sectors has a first
flow direction and after deflection of the partial flow by or at the at least one
deflection of the partition wall the flow has a second flow direction, wherein the
first direction and the second direction are inclined to each other at an angle between
40 to 140°, 50 to 130°, 60 to 120°, 70 to 110° or 80 to 100°. In particular the or
each flow partition wall divides the cross section of the heat exchanger outlet and
the cross section of the deflecting air channel (or the blower suction inlet) into
sectors, wherein each sector has an inlet and an outlet at the rear edge of the partition
wall, wherein the direction of the air-flow at the inlet and the direction of the
air-flow at the outlet form an angle of between 40 to 140°, 50 to 130°, 60 to 120°,
70 to 110° or 80 to 100°. Normally or preferably the direction of the air-flow at
the inlet of each sector is parallel to the direction of the airflow at the outlet
of heat exchanger or to the direction of the main air flow through the heat exchanger.
Here, if a partial flow has two rear edges of two guiding (and deflecting) partition
walls at its end, the rear edge which has shorter partial flow path length and/or
the rear edge which is closer to the heat exchanger outlet is the sector outlet considered
here.
[0021] If the guiding and partitioning unit comprises at least two flow partition walls,
preferably the rear edge of a first flow partition wall is arranged with a larger
distance from the blower suction inlet or from a blower center line or shaft in longitudinal
or flow direction of the deflecting air channel than the rear edge of a second flow
partition wall. By this design the flow resistances and/or average flow path lengths
of the partial flows can be balanced or adjusted to each other so that the normalized
flow rate (or flow rate per unit area) is more homogeneous. In an embodiment the flow
partition walls divide the cross section of the heat exchanger outlet into sectors,
wherein a first distance between the center of a first sector and the center of the
blower suction inlet or a blower center line or shaft is shorter than a second distance
between the center of a second sector and the center of the blower suction inlet or
center line or shaft of the blower. Then preferably the flow partition wall is designed
such that the flow path length of the flow passing the first sector is extended with
respect to a direct flow path length from the outlet of the heat exchanger facing
the sector (or the center of the sector) to the center of the blower suction inlet.
Alternatively or additionally for at least two flow partition walls the rear edges
of the flow partition walls are arranged in a staggered manner with respect to the
longitudinal or flow direction of the deflecting air channel.
[0022] In an embodiment the flow partition wall or the flow partition walls divide the cross
section of the heat exchanger outlet into sectors, wherein the cross section of the
partial flow starting at the sector air inlet is reduced or is tapering towards or
is reduced at the outlet of the respective partial flow. By tapering the cross section
along the partial flow path starting at the sector inlet the flow resistance along
this flow path is increased and can thereby be adapted to the flow resistance that
partial flows undergo when starting at another sector inlet. Thus the normalized flow
rate at the inlet sectors is homogenized resulting in a more homogenous flow distribution
through the heat exchanger. Preferably the cross section area at the sector inlet
at the heat exchanger outlet is reduced at least by 50%, 60%, 70% or 80% at the respective
partial flow outlet or in the course of the partial flow entering this sector inlet.
Alternatively or additionally the flow partition walls divide the cross section of
the heat exchanger outlet into sectors and the course of the flow partition walls
within the deflecting air channel is such that for each sector the average or normalized
flow resistance of the flow between the heat exchanger outlet (sector inlet) and the
sector outlet (at the rear edge of the partition wall or at the blower suction inlet)
is the same or essentially the same. Alternatively or additionally the flow partition
walls divide the cross section of the heat exchanger outlet into sectors and the flow
resistance for a partial flow between the associated sector inlet and the associated
sector outlet is different for at least two of the sectors, and the course of the
partition element is designed such that for each sector the ratio of suction force
of the blower acting at the sector inlet divided by the area of the sector is the
same or essentially the same for each sector.
[0023] Preferably the base unit of the laundry treatment machine comprises a bottom shell
and a cover shell which support or house several components of the machine, in particular
in case the treatment machine comprises a heat pump system. Preferably the heat exchanger
is arranged in a process air channel section that is formed by the bottom shell and
the cover shell. More preferably the refrigerant heating and cooling heat exchangers
are arranged in a battery channel formed by the bottom and cover shells. Alternatively
or additionally the flow guiding and partition unit or the at least one of or all
of the flow partition walls thereof are arranged between the bottom shell and the
cover shell which are forming the air channel. The flow guiding and partition unit
may be a separate and/or self-supporting unit that is arranged as a prefabricated
unit in the air channel during mounting. In another embodiment at least one of or
all of the flow partition walls of the flow guiding and partition unit are fixed to
or are integrally or monolithically formed at a bottom shell or a cover shell or partially
at the bottom shell and partially at the cover shell.
[0024] Preferably at least one of the flow partition walls, a portion of the partition walls
or all of the flow partition walls have a vertical extension and/or a horizontal extension
within the air channel. Vertical and horizontal refer to an orientation when the laundry
treatment apparatus is installed in its operational orientation. Therein it can be
provided that a portion of the vertically and/or of the horizontally aligned flow
partition walls provide a deflection and/or flow path extending and/or flow resistance
increasing function for the respective partial air flow.
[0025] In a combination the flow guiding and partition unit may comprise at least one partition
wall which is vertically or substantially vertically extending and comprises at least
one horizontal partition wall that is horizontally extending or extending in a range
of ±5 or ±10 with respect to the horizontal. Preferably the at least one (substantially)
vertical partition wall and the at least one (substantially) horizontal partition
wall have at least a region of common extension along the flow path of the process
air. More preferably at least one of the horizontal partition wall(s) is arranged
at the side wall of one of the partition walls. In an embodiment thereof the at least
one partition wall has a front edge and a rear edge and the at least one horizontal
partition wall extends only a portion of the total length between the front edge to
the rear edge of the partition wall in horizontal direction. Alternatively or additionally
the flow guiding and partition unit comprises at least two of said horizontal partition
walls which are arranged at one of the partition walls and which are horizontally
offset to each other with respect to the flow direction of the process air along the
partition wall. Using horizontally and vertically extending partition walls further
suppress turbulences and improve flow homogeneity through the heat exchanger.
[0026] In an embodiment a first side cover, a second side cover or a first and second side
cover is arranged at the at least one or at all of the flow partition walls. The side
cover(s) preferably run at least partially along a longitudinal edge of the at least
one or all of the partition elements. Preferably the side covers are provided at the
upper and lower side edge of at least one partition element which is vertically oriented.
The side cover(s) may assist in providing mechanical stability to the flow guiding
and partition unit such that it can be placed as a pre-assembled component. Alternatively
the flow guiding and partition unit comprises at least one reinforcement element that
is connecting at least one of the flow partition walls to another flow partition wall,
to a first and/or second side cover, or to a bottom and/or cover shell of the channel,
such as to mechanically stabilize the position of the at least one flow partition
wall. Again the reinforcement element may assist the stability of the pre-assembled
flow guiding and partition unit and/or prevents flapping of the partition walls caused
by air flow or apparatus vibrations.
[0027] Reference is made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention, example of
which are illustrated in the accompanying figures, which show:
- Fig. 1
- a perspective exploded view of a basement unit for a heat pump dryer with a bottom
shell and a cover shell lifted,
- Fig. 2
- the bottom shell with an evaporator and a condenser arranged in the battery channel
lower portion,
- Fig. 3
- the bottom shell with a flow guiding unit elevated over a rear channel,
- Fig. 4
- the flow guiding unit in perspective front view
- Fig. 5
- a rear section of the basement unit in top view showing the flow guiding unit inserted
in the back channel,
- Fig. 6
- the rear section with a horizontal section through the flow guiding unit,
- Fig. 7
- a rear view of the basement unit with a vertical section through the back channel,
- Fig. 8
- a perspective view to the basement unit with a flow guiding unit according to a second
embodiment inserted in the rear channel,
- Fig. 9
- a rear section of the basement unit in top view showing the flow guiding unit of Fig
8 in horizontal section,
- Fig. 10
- the flow guiding unit of Fig. 8 in perspective front view,
- Fig. 11
- the flow guiding unit of Fig. 8 in perspective rear view,
- Fig. 12
- a rear view of the basement unit with a vertical section through the back channel,
and
- Fig. 13
- a schematic drawing of the rear channel between the condenser and the blower with
a flow guiding unit according to a third embodiment.
[0028] Fig. 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a basement 2 of a heat pump type dryer,
the basement being formed by a bottom shell 4 and a cover shell 6. The bottom shell
4 supports or houses main components of the heat pump system and forms the lower portions
of process air channel sections. The lower portions of the channel sections formed
in the bottom shell are:
- A battery channel 8 in which the evaporator 26 is arranged in an evaporator compartment
12 and the condenser 28 arranged in a condenser compartment 14 (compare Fig. 2).
- A filter compartment 10 in which a fluff filter (not shown) is arranged and which
deflects the process air flow coming vertically down from a laundry drum through a
channel interface opening 11 to a horizontal direction towards the inlet of the evaporator
26.
- A rear channel 16 which guides the process air exhausted at a condenser outlet 29
to an inlet 19 of a blower 30 (Fig. 5).
- A blower compartment 18 which is arranged at the backside of the dryer (backside of
bottom shell 4).
[0029] The bottom shell has a motor console 20 where a blower and drum drive motor 32 is
mounted as shown in Fig. 5. Further the bottom shell provides a component mounting
space 22 for mounting further components of the heat pump system, like a compressor,
refrigerant piping, an expansion valve and an ambient cooling air blower. At the backside
of the rear channel 16 a condensate unit 24 is arranged, which collects condensate
water formed at the evaporator during a laundry drying process. As can be seen from
the top view in Fig. 5, the blower 30 is connected via a shaft 34 to the blower and
drum drive motor 32. As the blower 30 is arranged in coaxial line with the motor axis
to be driven by the shaft 34, the blower inlet 19 is arranged horizontally offset
to or spaced from the condenser outlet 29 by a distance a (see Fig. 13). Thus the
shaft passes through the rear channel 16.
[0030] In Fig. 1 the cover shell 6 is lifted from the bottom shell 4. At its lower side
the cover shell has formed thereon the upper portions of the process air channel with
the upper battery channel 8a having the upper evaporator compartment 12a and the upper
condenser compartment 14a, the upper filter compartment 10a, the upper rear channel
16a and the upper blower compartment 18a. At the upper side of the cover shell 6 structures
are provided for roller supports for rollers that support the rotatable drum.
[0031] Within the rear channel, which is formed by the lower rear channel 16 and the upper
rear channel 16a, a flow guiding unit 40 is arranged between a backside outer wall
41a (Fig. 6) of the rear channel and a frontside wall 41b of the rear channel 16.
The flow guiding unit 40 has a first, second and third partition wall 42, 44, 46 that
are formed by vertical wall elements that are horizontally spaced and extend from
the condenser outlet 29 in flow direction along the flow path in the rear channel
16. As can be seen in more detail in Fig. 4, the partition walls are fixed at their
upper edges at an upper plate 48 and are fixed at their lower edges at a lower plate
50. The lower plate 50 has alignment pins 52 protruding at the lower surface of the
lower plate 50 which are used to align and horizontally fix the flow guiding unit
40 at respective receptacles arranged mating with the pin positions in the bottom
wall of the rear channel 16. The flow guiding unit 40 is a self supporting structure
that is placed and aligned by the pins 52 in the lower portion 16 of the rear channel
during the dryer assembling procedure and is finally fixed when the cover shell 6
is placed over the bottom shell 4 and fastened to each other. Fastening or mounting
to each other may be made using releasable or permanent fastening means; like screws,
snap-fits, point or line welding, gluing or a combination thereof.
[0032] Fig. 2 shows the bottom shell 4 with the evaporator 26 and the condenser 28 placed
in their respective receptacle positions of the lower part battery channel 8. At the
rear outlet 29 of the condenser 28 the air flow exits the condenser and thus the battery
channel and enters in this plane into the rear channel 16. Facing to the outlet of
the condenser and close to the rear edge of the condenser fins the front edges of
the partition walls 42, 44 and 46 are arranged. Due to this edge-facing arrangement
of condenser fins and partition walls, the air flow exiting the condenser is split
into partial air flows at the junction from the battery channel to the rear channel.
Fig. 3 gives a perspective view to the bottom shell 4 with the flow guiding unit 40
elevated over the rear channel so that the inlet sectors II and III of the guiding
unit can be seen (Fig. 4).
[0033] Fig. 4 shows the perspective front view of the flow guiding unit 40 taken out of
the rear channel. The three front edges of the partition walls 42, 44, 46 vertically
split the condenser outlet area (the rear channel inlet area) into the four inlet
sectors I, II, III, IV, wherein sectors I and IV are indicated in doted lines. The
left vertical wall that limits the partial flow entering sector I is restricted and
thus guided by the rear channel outer wall 41a (Fig. 6) at the left side and by partition
wall 42 on the right side, while the partial flow that enters sector IV is restricted
and guided by the rear channel inner wall 41b on the right side and by partition wall
46 on the left side.
[0034] Fig. 5 is a top view to the rear section of the basement unit 2 with the flow guiding
unit 40 inserted in the back channel 16 formed in the bottom shell 4. The upper plate
48 can be seen from top side. At the back side of unit 40, in particular at the back
side of the first partition wall 42, the first partition channel 54 (Fig. 6) is formed
between the rear channel outer wall 41a and the first partition wall 42. The first
partial flow enters the first partition channel 54 at sector I. At the front side
of unit 40, in particular at the front side of the third partition wall 46 the fourth
partition channel 60 (Fig. 6) is formed between the rear channel inner wall 41b and
the third partition wall 46, where the fourth partial flow enters at sector IV.
[0035] Fig. 6 shows the rear section of the bottom shell 4 with a horizontal section vertically
midway through the flow guiding unit 40. Between the first and second partition walls
42, 44 a second partial flow (which enters at sector II) is guided in a second partial
channel 56. Between the second and third partition walls 44, 46 a third partial flow
(which enters at sector III) is guided in a third partial channel 58. The first partial
flow merges with the second partial flow at the exit of the second partial flow which
is at the rear edge of the first partition wall 42. The third partial flow merges
with the merged first and second partial flows at the exit of the third partial flow
which is at the rear edge of the second partition wall 44. The fourth partial flow
exits at the rear edge of the third partition wall 46. The third partition wall 46
is guided close up to the blower shaft 34. In this embodiment the unit 40 does not
interfere with shaft 34 such that unit 40 and the blower 30 / motor 32 /shaft 34 can
be installed independent of one another. The third partition wall 46 is longer than
any of the other partition walls and significantly extends the flow path length through
the fourth partial channel 60 as compared to a direct line of view between the fourth
sector IV and the blower inlet 19. Thus the partial flow coming from the fourth sector
is guided mostly along the rear channel inner wall 41b to a left side of the blower
inlet 19. This avoids that the fourth partial flow disturbs the flow characteristic
of the first to third partial flows which would increase their flow resistance and
would reduce the flow rate of the first to third partial flows. This correspondingly
applies to the "guided" flow paths among the first to third partial flows.
[0036] Along the flow path in rear channel 16 the rear edges of the partition walls 42,
44, 46 are arranged in a staggered manner. Further the partition walls 42, 44, 46
provide a 90° deflection in the rear channel with respect to the normal to the condenser
outlet plane and the main extension direction of the rear channel or the main flow
direction in the center region of the rear channel. In Fig. 13 the hollow arrows indicate
the flow directions in flow direction first at the condenser outlet 29 (direction
A), in the center region (direction B) of rear channel 16 and at the blower suction
inlet 19 (direction C). At least the first deflection of the partial flows after entering
the sector inlets at outlet 29 is provided and guided by the partition walls so that
turbulence and mutual competition is avoided (what would be the case without the partition
walls).
[0037] Fig. 7 is the rear view of the bottom shell 4 with a vertical section through the
back channel 16 such that the unit 40 can be seen from backside. The horizontal ranges
of the sector inlets I, II, III, IV are indicated and the arrows Ia, IIa, IIIa and
IVa indicate the sector outlets corresponding to the inlets.
[0038] Fig. 8 is a perspective view to the bottom shell 4 with a flow guiding unit 40b according
to a second embodiment which is inserted in the rear channel 16. Corresponding to
Fig. 6, Fig. 9 is the rear section of the bottom shell 4 in top view showing the flow
guiding unit 40b of Fig 8 in horizontal section. The difference between the first
embodiment unit 40 and the second embodiment flow guiding unit 40b can be best seen
by comparing the perspective front views of Figs. 4 and 10. In additionally to the
vertical partition walls 42, 44, 46, the unit 40b has first, second, third, fourth
and fifth horizontal partition plates 64, 66, 68, 72 and 74 that divide the process
air flow horizontally into partial flows at the top side and bottom side of the horizontal
plates. Horizontal plates 64, 66 and 68 have their front edges in the area or plane
of the condenser outlet 29. Horizontal plates 64 and 66 are arranged at the outer
or rear side of vertical partition wall 42 and further divide inlet sector I of the
first embodiment into sub-sectors I1, I2 and I3 as shown in Fig. 10.
[0039] Horizontal plate 68 is arranged at the inner or front side of the partition wall
46 and has its front edge intersecting the inlet sector IV into sub-sectors IV1 and
IV2. To vertically stabilize the third horizontal plate 68, a strut 70 supports the
plate 68 versus the bottom or lower plate 50 of the unit 40b. Horizontal plates 72
and 74 are arranged at the outer or rear side of partition wall 46, extend only a
portion of the total length between the front edge to the rear edge of wall 46 in
horizontal direction. As can be seen in the top view of Fig. 9 for plate 74, the horizontal
plates 72, 74 horizontally extend in the direction perpendicular to their supporting
third partition wall 46 with a dimension such that the outer lateral edges abut against
the inner wall of the rear channel outer wall 41a. Thus the horizontal plates 72,
74 align the flow guiding unit 40b within the rear channel 16. Also the first and
second horizontal plates 64, 66 have a horizontally extension from the first partition
wall 42 such that their outer edges abut the inner wall of rear channel outer wall
41a when the flow guiding unit 40b is inserted in channel 16. The outer edges of plates
64, 66 abut in a curved section of the outer wall 41a such that they align unit 40b
in two directions within channel 16.
[0040] On the opposite side of the partition wall 46 with respect to plates 72, 74, strut
70 which has an L-shaped horizontal cross-section (90° profile) serves as an alignment
element with respect to an edge at the inner wall 41b of rear channel 16 formed adjacent
the condenser outlet 29. Strut 70 not only laterally fixes the flow guiding unit 40b,
but also fixed it in longitudinal direction along the rear channel 16. Further, the
third horizontal plate 68 horizontally extends towards the inner wall of rear channel
inner wall 41b such that the lateral edge of plate 68 abuts at the inner wall 41b.
Thus the horizontal alignment of the flow guiding unit 40b within rear channel 16
is provided by strut 70 and the horizontal plates 64, 66, 68, 72 and 74 laterally
abutting at the vertical walls 41a, 41b while spanning the cross-section of channel
16 in horizontal direction. Moreover the plates 72 and 74 are horizontally offset
to each other with respect to the flow direction (compare Fig. 12 showing a rear view
of the bottom shell 4 with a vertical section through the back channel). The perspective
rear view of the second embodiment flow guiding unit 40b is shown in Fig. 11.
[0041] Fig. 13 schematically depicts in horizontal cross section the rear channel 16 between
the condenser 28 and the blower 30 with a flow guiding unit 40c according to a third
embodiment. As compared to the vertical partition walls 42, 44, 46 of the first and
second embodiment, the length of first, second and third partition walls 42c, 44c,
46c of the unit 40c are further extended towards the blower inlet 19. In particular
the rear edge of the third partition wall 46c is guided beyond the center or shaft
34 of the blower 30. Thereby the fourth partial flow between wall 46c and inner wall
41b is guided to the outer rightmost area of inlet 19 thus further reducing interference
with the other three partial flows. The center lines of the partial flows between
walls 41a, 42, 44, 46 and 41b are indicated by the dashed-dotted lines to illustrate
the guidance within the partial channels (corresponding to 54, 56, 58, 60 - but extended
in downstream direction in channel 16) and the spatial split or distribution over
the inlet area of inlet 19. In this embodiment the mutual interference between the
partial flows is further suppressed as compared to the previous embodiments and the
third and fourth partial flows are additionally deflected by a 90° deflection at the
end of and by the fourth partition wall 46c.
[0042] Thereby it is illustrated that multiple deflection for at least one, a portion of
or all partial flows may be provided by the partition walls along the inner path of
a process air channel like rear channel 16. By the arrow with length a between the
center of the condenser 28 and the center of the blower 30 it is indicated that condenser
outlet and blower inlet are spatially offset to each other. Thus process air deflection
is required although the normal to the outlet 29 is parallel to the normal to the
inlet 19. It is readily understood that the basic principle of providing at least
one partition wall that is forming partial flows at the front edge which intersect
the outlet (of the condenser) and which deflect the partial flows can be applied to
other geometric configurations of the process air channel. For example if the normal
to the outlet 29 and the normal to the inlet 19 have an angle to each other - e.g.
a 90° angle.
Reference Numeral List:
[0043]
- 2
- basement
- 4
- bottom shell
- 6
- cover shell
- 8
- battery channel
- 8a
- upper part battery channel
- 10
- filter/deflection compartment
- 10a
- upper part filter compartment
- 11
- channel interface
- 12
- evaporator compartment
- 12a
- upper part evaporator compartment
- 14
- condenser compartment
- 14a
- upper part condenser compartment
- 16
- rear channel
- 16a
- upper part rear channel
- 18
- blower compartment
- 18a
- upper part blower compartment
- 19
- blower inlet
- 20
- motor console
- 22
- component mounting space
- 24
- condensate unit
- 26
- evaporator
- 28
- condenser
- 29
- condenser outlet
- 30
- blower
- 32
- blower motor
- 34
- shaft
- 40, 40b, 40c
- flow guiding unit
- 41a
- rear channel outer wall
- 41b
- rear channel inner wall
- 42, 42c
- first partition wall
- 44, 44c
- second partition wall
- 46, 46c
- third partition wall
- 48
- upper plate
- 50
- lower plate
- 52
- aligning pin
- 54
- first partial channel
- 56
- second partial channel
- 58
- third partial channel
- 60
- fourth partial channel
- 64
- first horizontal plate
- 66
- second horizontal plate
- 68
- third horizontal plate
- 70
- strut
- 72
- fourth horizontal plate
- 74
- fifth horizontal plate
- I, I1, I2, I3
- first section inlet
- II
- second section inlet
- III
- third section inlet
- IV, IV1, IV2
- section inlet
- a
- displacement
- Ia, IIa, IIIa, IVa
- section outlet
- A, B, C
- air flow direction
1. Laundry treatment machine, in particular dryer or washing machine having drying function,
comprising:
a laundry storing compartment;
a heat exchanger (28) adapted to exchange heat with process air passing through the
heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger has an outlet (29) where the process air
exits the heat exchanger;
a blower (30) adapted to convey the process air in a loop through the laundry storing
compartment and the heat exchanger (28), wherein the blower has a suction inlet (19)
and is arranged downstream the heat exchanger with respect to the process air flow
direction;
an air channel (16) adapted to guide the process air from the heat exchanger outlet
(29) to the blower suction inlet (19); and
a flow guiding and partition unit (40, 40b, 40c) arranged within the air channel (16)
and comprising at least one flow partition wall (42, 42c, 44, 44c, 46, 46c, 64, 66,
68).
2. Laundry treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein a front edge of at least one
of the flow partition walls or of each flow partition wall (42, 42c, 44, 44c, 46,
46c, 64, 66, 68) is arranged facing and close to or intersecting the area of the heat
exchanger outlet (29).
3. Laundry treatment machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow partition wall
or flow partition walls (42, 42c, 44, 44c, 46, 46c, 64, 66, 68) divide the cross section
of the heat exchanger outlet (29) into partial flow inlet sectors (I, I1-I3, II, III,
IV, IV1, IV2), wherein the partial flow entering one of the partial flow inlet sectors
has a first flow direction (A) and after deflection of the partial flow at or by at
least one of the partition walls (42, 42c, 44, 44c, 46, 46c) the flow has a second
flow direction (B), wherein the first direction (A) and the second direction (B) are
inclined to each other at an angle between 40 to 140°, 50 to 130°, 60 to 120°, 70
to 110° or 80 to 100°.
4. Laundry treatment machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the flow guiding and
partition unit (40, 40b, 40c) is arranged between a first wall (41a) and a second
wall (41b) of the air channel (16).
5. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims, wherein the blower
suction inlet (19) is arranged not in line with or offset to a process air main flow
axis (A) of the process air flow passing the heat exchanger (28) such that the air
channel (16) is deflecting the process air at least one time between the heat exchanger
outlet (29) and the blower suction inlet (19).
6. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims, wherein at least
one of the or each of the flow partition walls (42, 42c, 44, 44c, 46, 46c) comprises
a front edge and a rear edge and in its course between its front edge and its rear
edge provides at least one deflection, such that the deflecting flow partition wall
guides on each of its sides one process air partial flow along the at least one deflection.
7. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims, comprising at least
two flow partition walls (42, 42c, 44, 44c, 46, 46c, 64, 66, 68), wherein the rear
edge or outlet of a first flow partition wall (42) is arranged with a larger distance
from the blower suction inlet (19) or from a blower center line or shaft (34) than
the rear edge or outlet of a second flow partition wall (44, 46).
8. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims, wherein the flow
partition wall (46) having its front edge defining a sector (IV) border is designed
such that the flow path length of the flow passing this sector (IV) is extended with
respect to a direct flow path length from the heat exchanger outlet (29) facing or
at the sector (IV) inlet to the center of the blower suction inlet (19).
9. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims, comprising at least
two flow partition walls (42, 42c, 44, 44c, 46, 46c) wherein the rear edges of the
flow partition walls are arranged in a staggered manner with respect to the longitudinal
or flow direction of the air channel (16).
10. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims, wherein the flow
partition wall or the flow partition walls (42, 42c, 44, 44c, 46, 46c, 64, 66, 68)
divide the cross section of the heat exchanger outlet (29) into sectors (I, I1-I3,
II, III, IV, IV1, IV2) and wherein the cross section of at least one partial flow
starting at the sector air inlet is reduced or is tapering towards or is reduced at
the outlet for the respective partial flow.
11. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims, wherein at least
a wall section of at least one, two or more of the partition walls (42, 42c, 44, 44c,
46, 46c) is arranged perpendicular or at an angle in a range of 80 to 100° or 70 to
110° with respect to the main flow direction (A) through the heat exchanger (28) or
which is facing a section of the heat exchanger outlet (29) in direct line of sight.
12. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims, wherein the heat
exchanger (28) is a condenser or refrigerant cooler in a heat pump system and the
heat pump system further comprises an evaporator (26) or refrigerant heater arranged
upstream of the condenser or refrigerant cooler.
13. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims, wherein the heat
exchanger (28) is arranged in a process air channel section (8) that is formed by
a bottom shell (4) and a cover shell (6).
14. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims, wherein the at
least one of or all of the flow partition walls (42, 42c, 44, 44c, 46, 46c, 64, 66,
68) are arranged between a bottom shell (4) and a cover shell (6) which are forming
the air channel (16).
15. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims, wherein at least
one of or all of the flow partition walls (42, 42c, 44, 44c, 46, 46c, 64, 66, 68)
are fixed to or are integrally or monolithically formed at a bottom shell (4) or a
cover shell (6) or partially at the bottom shell and partially at the cover shell.
16. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims, wherein at least
one of the or all of the flow partition walls (42, 42c, 44, 44c, 46, 46c, 64, 66,
68) has(have) a first cross section extension, a second cross section extension, or
a portion thereof has a first cross section extension and a portion thereof has a
second cross section extension with respect to the cross section perpendicular to
the main air flow direction in the air channel (16).
17. Laundry treatment machine according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the or all
of the flow partition walls (42, 42c, 44, 44c, 46, 46c, 64, 66, 68) has(have) a vertical
extension, a horizontal extension or an extension within a range of ±5°, ±10° or ±15°
relative to the horizontal extension, or a portion thereof (42, 42c, 44, 44c, 46,
46c) has a vertical extension and a second portion thereof (64, 66, 68) has a horizontal
extension within the air channel (16).
18. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims, wherein a first
side cover (48), a second side cover (50) or a first and second side cover (48, 50)
is arranged at the at least one or at all of the flow partition walls (42, 42c, 44,
44c, 46, 46c, 64, 66, 68), wherein the side cover(s) run(s) at least partially along
a longitudinal edge of the at least one or all of the partition elements (42, 42c,
44, 44c, 46, 46c).
19. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims, comprising at least
one reinforcement element (70) that is connecting at least one of the flow partition
walls (68) to another flow partition wall, to a first or second side cover (48), or
to a bottom or cover shell of the channel, such as to mechanically stabilize the position
of the at least one flow partition wall (68).
20. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims,
wherein the flow guiding and partition unit (40, 40b, 40c) comprises at least one
partition wall (46) which is vertically or essentially vertically extending and comprises
at least one horizontal partition wall (72, 74) that is horizontally extending or
extending in a range of ±5° or ±10° with respect to the horizontal, and
wherein the at least one horizontal partition wall (72, 74) is arranged at the side
wall of one of the partition walls (46).
21. Laundry treatment machine according to claim 20,
wherein the at least one partition wall (46) has a front edge and a rear edge and
the at least one horizontal partition wall (72, 74) extends only a portion of the
total length between the front edge to the rear edge of the partition wall (46) in
horizontal direction, or
wherein the flow guiding and partition unit (40, 40b, 40c) comprises at least two
of said horizontal partition walls (72, 74) arranged at one of the partition walls
(46) and the two horizontal partition walls (72, 74) are horizontally offset to each
other with respect to the flow direction of the process air along the partition wall
(46).