[0001] The present invention relates to a washing-drying machine and to a method for operating
said machine.
[0002] A washer-dryer appliance is generally provided for performing articles washing and
drying operations in a single machine. In this view a washing-drying machine comprises
a drum for receiving articles to be treated, which is rotatably mounted within a tub.
A water circuit including pumping means is provided for allowing washing water to
be supplied to and drained from said tub. An air circuit, having air circulating means
and heating means, is provided for carrying out drying operation by circulating hot
air through the drum. Condensing means are further provided in said air circuit for
removing moisture from drying air passing through articles to be treated thereby allowing
said air to be re-circulated cyclically within the air circuit. Moisture removed from
articles is either collected in a tank periodically emptied by a user or it is directly
exhausted by a pipe connected to a waste water net,
[0003] In washing-drying machines of known type, said condensing means generally comprise
a box-like structure associated to the drying air circuit and a nozzle which is connected
to a water supply for spraying said water against the drying air flow. A drawback
of such known machines consists in that droplets of water nebulized by condensing
means nozzle through the moist air flow can be partly transported by the flow downwards
the condensing means and, in particular, towards electrically powered heating means
causing potential security risks.
[0004] A further drawback of the above cited type of known washing-drying machines consists
in that condensing efficiency is low, and, in particular, lower than that of a drying
machine provided with a condenser in the form of a heat exchanger wherein drying air
is dehydrated by means of a fluid flow, i.e. a flow of air or water. In such known
washing-drying machines, drying cycles may require a long time and a high power consuming
to be carried out while drying results achieved may be poor.
[0005] In order to improve efficiency of drying operations by reducing energy loss in the
condenser, drying machines have been proposed in the market provided with additional
heat exchangers for recovering energy by the hot drying air flow.
FR 2 453 930 discloses one of said known drying machines having a first heat exchanger provided
in the drying air circuit upstream the condensing unit for cooling said air flow before
it enters such unit. Heat recovered in the first heat exchanger is conveyed back to
the drying air flow by a second heat exchanger provided in the drying air circuit
between the condensing unit and electrical heating means. First and second heat exchangers
are connected by a common fluid path wherein a gaseous or liquid medium circulates
in a closed loop for transferring heat from a part of the drying air circuit to another.
[0006] A drawback of a drying machine according to
FR 2 453 930 consists in that its manufacture costs does not economically compensate energy savings
that can be achieved with such machine. In addition, such machine is designed for
carrying out only a drying process and it has no means for articles washing operations.
GB 2 287 961,
EP 1 302 586 and
EP 1 584 729 disclose washing-drying machines wherein water can be supplied from a water/air heat
exchanger to an article storing chamber for carrying out a washing process and vice
versa for cooling said heat exchanger.
DE 40 09 102 discloses a method for operating a washing-drying machine having a water/air and
an air/air heat exchangers arranged in parallel.
[0007] DE 10 2007 016077 discloses a heat pump type dryer wherein a sensor device is in signal communication
with a control unit to regulate drying air heating means depending on refrigerant
fluid condensation temperature.The aim of the present invention is therefore to solve
the noted drawbacks and thus providing a washing-drying machine having an improved
energy efficiency.
[0008] An object of the present invention is not only to provide a washing-drying machine
having a shorter drying time compared to known machines, but also a method for operating
said machine that allows to save both water and energy during washing and drying operations.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a washing-drying machine having higher
safety.
[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide a washing-drying machine wherein
washing and drying operational cycles are integrated for high energy recovery.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a method for operating a washing-drying
machine wherein condensing capacity of air moisture condensing means can be adjusted
for achieving a desired drying efficiency and/or limiting energy consumption.
[0012] Advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the
description and drawings which follow and in part will become apparent to those having
ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from
practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realised
and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding
of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification,
illustrate possible embodiments of the invention and together with the description
serve to explain the principles of the invention. Like reference numbers represents
like features throughout the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0014] Figure 1 shows schematically a washing-drying machine according to the invention;
[0015] Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a condensing unit and drying air circuit of
a washing-drying machine according to the invention;
[0016] Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of a condensing unit and drying air circuit of
a washing-drying machine according to the invention;
[0017] With reference to Figure 1 a washing-drying machine 1 according to the invention
comprises an articles storing chamber 2 preferably in the form of a drum rotatably
mounted within a tub 3. A water circuit 4 comprises a first conduit 4A for supplying
water drained from a water net, like a public water net, to storing chamber 2 and
a second conduit 4B for exhausting water from said chamber 2. Pumping means 5 is provided
in water circuit 4 for circulating water within said circuit 4. Heating means 6 are
provided in the storing chamber 2 for heating water during an articles washing operation.
A first valve means 25 is mounted in the water circuit 4 for controlling water flow
within the circuit 4.
[0018] In order to perform an articles drying operation, washing-drying machine 1 comprises
an air circuit 7 having a first conduit 7A in fluid communication with the articles
storing chamber 2 for exhausting dying air passed through articles to be dried and
for conveying said air, enriched in humidity, towards a condensing unit 8, indicated
with dashed lines in Figure 1, where air moisture is removed. Air exiting the condensing
unit 8 flows through a second conduit 7B connecting a condenser outlet port with an
inlet port provided for allowing air to access the articles storing chamber 2. Heating
means 9 are provided in conduit 7B for heating air before it enters chamber 2. Pumping
means 10, such as a fan, is provided in the air circuit 7 for circulating drying air
cyclically through the storing chamber 2. Moisture removed from drying air by the
condensing unit 8 is collected in a reservoir 11.
[0019] According to the invention, said condensing unit 8 generally comprises a first heat
exchanger 12 of water/air type, i.e. an exchanger wherein moist drying air is condensed
by water-cooled means. Heat exchanger 12 is therefore hydraulically connected to a
water supply like a water tank of suitable capacity placed within the washer-drying
machine 1 as will be diffusely described below.
[0020] Condensing unit 8 further comprises a second heat exchanger 13 of air/air type, i.e.
an exchanger wherein moist drying air is condensed by air-cooled means. Cooling air
is taken from the environment surrounding the machine 1 by means of a fan 14 and it
is exhausted from the second heat exchanger 13 to the same environment. First and
second heat exchangers 12, 13 are connected in series relative to the drying air flow,
such that one of them receives drying air exiting the other. The position order of
heat exchangers 12, 13 relative to the drying air flow can be the most appropriate
according to the arrangement of operational components inside the machine. One or
more air filters 15 may be arranged in the drying air circuit 7, and preferably between
the two heat exchangers 12, 13.
[0021] With reference to Figure 2 it is disclosed a first embodiment 108 of the condensing
unit 8 and drying air circuit 7 illustrated in figure 1. In such embodiment, the same
reference numbers have been used for indicating features already depicted schematically
in Figure 1.
[0022] A condensing unit 108 according to the first embodiment of the inventions is formed
by a first heat exchanger 112 of water/air type comprising a plurality of conduits
16 wherein cooling water is circulated for removing a first amount of moisture from
drying air conveyed by air circuit 7 to pass through interstices provided among said
plurality of conduits 16. The air circuit 7 comprises first and second conduits 7A,
7B in fluid communication with the articles storing chamber 2 (Figure 1). Heating
means 9 are provided in the second conduit 7B for heating the drying air flow. Condensed
moisture is exhausted from the heat exchanger 112 by a water outlet port 17. As shown
in Figure 1, cooling water can be supplied from a pipe 27 hydraulically connected
to a water tank 28 provided inside the machine 1 and periodically refilled either
by water taken by said water net through a further pipe line 29 or by water recovered
during a previous washing operation through a water recovering pipe line 40 (Figure
1) allowing at least a part of water used within the washing chamber 2 to be conveyed
to tank 28. After being passed through the heat exchanger 12, 112 cooling water may
be re-circulated cyclically between the heat exchanger 12, 112 and the water tank
28 by means of pipes 27 and 30 forming with exchanger 12 and with tank 28 a hydraulic
loop circuit. An exhausting water conduit 45 is provided for periodically discharging
cooling water from tank 28 so as to allow fresh water drained by a water net through
pipe line 29 to fill tank 28. A more detailed description of the heat exchanger 12,
112 working operation is given with reference to the method for operating a washing
-drying machine according to the invention.
[0023] Condensing unit 108 further comprises a second heat exchanger 113 of air/air type
placed upstream relative to the first heat exchanger 112 such that drying air leaving
the second heat exchanger 113 enters the first water/air heat exchanger 112. Cooling
air taken from the environment surrounding the machine 1 is pumped to the heat exchanger
113 by a fan 14 while drying air flow moved within the air circuit 7 enters the heat
exchanger 112. Cooling air flow and drying air flow cross each other without mixing
so as to condense a second amount of moisture from drying air. Such amount of moisture
is exhausted from the air/air heat exchanger 113 by a water outlet port 18. Air filtering
means 15 are provided in the air circuit 7 between the heat exchangers 112, 113.
[0024] Taking now into consideration Figure 1 again, the whole amount of moisture removed
from drying air by heat exchangers 112, 113, depicted in Figure 2, is collected in
a reservoir 11 (not shown in Figure 2) and led into the articles storing chamber 2
during a step of a washing cycle by pumping means 19 and a first fluid line 20 fluidly
connected to the water circuit 7, as it will be diffusely described hereafter. Condensed
moisture has a low hardness and it can be advantageously stored in the reservoir 11
while a drying operation is in progress and later used for a subsequent washing and/or
rinsing process. Even if the amount of water recovered by dried articles may not be
enough for washing or rinsing the whole washing load, it contributes to reduce water
consumption of the machine 1.
[0025] A further water recovery may be advantageously achieved by providing a further fluid
line 21 hydraulically connected to water circuit 4, the heat exchanger 12, 112 and,
by means of pipe 27, to water tank 28, the latter being refilled with cooling water
which is either drained from a water net at the beginning of a drying cycle or recovered
in a previous washing cycle and stored within tank 28. Said cooling water being re-circulated
through the water/air heat exchanger 12, 112 during the drying cycle. A pump 22 may
be provided in fluid line 21 for leading cooling water used for condensing moisture
of drying air in heat exchanger 12, 112 to the articles storing chamber 2 during washing
operations following said drying cycle when water is needed for a washing or rinsing
process, as it will be diffusely described hereafter. Pumps 19 and 22 may be the same,
single pump, for both fluid lines 20, 21.
[0026] A third fluid line 40 hydraulically connects the articles storing chamber 2 to the
water tank 28, via conduit 4B provided for exhausting water from said chamber 2 as
shown in Figure 1 or, if desired, directly, i.e. by means of a dedicated pipe without
involving conduit 4B. The provision of conduit 40 is useful for conveying water used
for one or more steps of a washing cycle to a storage means (tank 28) for a later
use, in particular for being used during a drying process to cool condensing means
8. In this way, an amount of water can be used both for a washing process and for
drying operations, thereby reducing the machine overall water consumption. A filter
unit 43 may be provided in the fluid line 40 in order to remove lint and/ or foreign
matter from water drained from articles storing chamber 2.
[0027] Water recovery fluid lines 20, 21, 40 and main water circuit 4 are preferably provided
with valve means 23, 24, 25, 41, 42 (Figure 1) in signal communication with a process
control unit 26 which is programmed for selecting, during washing operations, one
of the available water supply lines 4, 20, 21 for providing water within the articles
storing chamber 2 and for recovering an amount of said water by storing the latter
in a storage means 28 for being used in a drying process following said washing operations.
Selection of water source and management of valve means 23, 24, 25, 41, 42, are made
by unit 26 in accordance with the washing or drying program actually running in the
machine 1. Said process control unit 26 is also in signal communication with washing/drying
program input means 44, such as a program selection knob, a keyboard, push-buttons
and so on, for allowing a user to input a command and/or selecting washing/drying
programs to be carried out on articles stored within chamber 2.
[0028] In Figure 3 it is shown a second embodiment 208 of a condensing unit 8 and drying
air circuit 7 illustrated in Figure 1. In such embodiment, the same reference numbers
have been used for indicating features already depicted in Figures 1 and 2.
[0029] Condensing unit 208 differs from the first embodiment depicted in Figure 2 in that
the water/air heat exchanger 212 comprises a nozzle 231 hydraulically connected with
a water source, such as the water tank 28 shown in figure 1, for nebulizing water
against the drying air flowing within air circuit 7. Water/air heat exchanger 212
is associated to portion 7A of air circuit 7, i.e. the portion receiving the moist
air exiting articles drying chamber 2. Fans 10 and 14 for circulating drying air and
cooling air of the second air/air heat exchanger 113 respectively, heating means 9,
filtering means 15 and the second heat exchanger 113 have the same features as those
described with reference to Figure 2. In the second embodiment of Figure 3, water/air
heat exchanger 212 is placed upstream relative to the second air/air heat exchanger
113. Water recovery from condensed moisture and from cooling water of water/air heat
exchanger 212 is arranged as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 and it will
not be described here again.
[0030] There are now disclosed methods for operating a washing-drying machine according
to the present invention for carrying out a washing operation and a drying process.
[0031] When a washing cycle has to be carried out, a desired washing program is selected
by a user in a known manner, i.e. by way of input means 44 like a keyboard, a program
selector knob and the like. Other washing parameters, like washing temperature, drum
rotational speed during rinsing, overall washing time and the like may be input by
a user, and further parameters may be acquired by appropriate sensors included in
the machine like weight sensors, fabric types and the like (not illustrated). After
the machine has been set for carrying out a washing process, control unit 26 checks
whether water is present in reservoir 11 as result of moisture condensed in a previous
drying cycle and further checks whether water is present within tank 28 as retained
after a previous drying process or recovered in said tank 28 after a previous washing
process. If water presence is detected within reservoir 11 and/or within tank 28,
process control unit 26 selects one or more of the available water sources (reservoir
11, tank 28, main water net connected through line 4 to the machine) for supplying
water to the articles storing chamber (2). If no water is stored in reservoir 11 and
in tank 28, unit 26 selects the main water net as water supply source. The part of
the washing cycle and the water source are chosen by the process control unit 26 based
on pre-programmed data stored within control unit 26. Said data associate possible
combinations of user input parameters and of parameters automatically acquired by
the machine with particular programs of recovered water introduction inside the article
storing chamber 2.
[0032] Furthermore, according to the selected washing program and to the washing parameters
set by a user and parameters acquired by the machine itself, process control unit
26 may establish in which part of the washing cycle and whether or not an amount of
water is to be recovered in the water tank 28 instead of being exhausted through conduit
4B. For example, a suitable part of a washing cycle for recovering water used for
treating articles in the chamber 2 may be the last rinsing operation. In the latter
case, water recovered from rinsing is clean enough to be used for cooling a condenser
unit 8, 108, 208 in a drying cycle subsequent to a washing process. However, in order
to allow recovering of water also in other, or in additional, parts of a washing cycle,
a filter unit 43 is provided in fluid line 40. In this way, dirty water may be filtered
and used to cool the condenser 8, 108, 208 during a drying cycle, thereby avoiding
to dirty it.
[0033] Operationally, the process control unit 26 compares data input by a user when he/she
chooses a washing program with data pre-programmed within control unit 26 so as to
allow the latter to decide in which part of a chosen washing program water recovering
can take place. Water recovering is made by the process control unit 26 by activating
pump 5, closing valve means 42 in conduit 4B and opening valve means 41 in conduit
40. When water tank 28 is completely filled, valve means 41 in conduit 40 is closed
and valve means 42 in conduit 4B is opened so as to exhaust water further contained
in the article storage chamber 2.
[0034] After the process control unit 26 has set the part of the washing cycle in which
recovered water has to be introduced into the storing chamber 2, the water source
through which this operation has to be carried out, and in which part of a chosen
washing program water recovering for a later use can take place, the selected washing
program is started.
[0035] A drying process in a washing-drying machine according to the present invention may
be carried out using a recovered amount of water already used during a previous washing
cycle and stored within tank 28 as described above. Similarly to what has been already
described with reference to the washing process, a desired drying program is selected
by a user by way of input means 44 and further parameters (for example humidity of
articles in the storing chamber 2, articles weight, articles type and so on) may be
acquired by appropriate sensors (not illustrated) included in the machine to instruct
the process control unit 26 about articles physical condition at the beginning of
a drying cycle. After the machine has been set to carry out the desired drying process,
control unit 26 compares said acquired parameters with data pre-programmed therein.
The result of the comparison is the activation of one or both the heat exchangers
12, 112, 212 and 13, 113 in the condensing means 8 while circulating drying air through
the article storing chamber 2 by means of air circuit 7. This allows the drying process
to adapt drying efficiency of the machine according to the actual drying condition
of articles to be treated. Process control unit 26 may also establish the sequence
of activation of each heat exchanger 12, 112, 212 and 13, 113 and, particularly for
the water/air heat exchanger 12, 112, 212, unit 26 may change cooling water source
between tank 28, filled with water recovered by a previous washing process or retained
therein after a preceding drying cycle, and water supplied to tank 28 by a main water
net through pipe line 29.
[0036] Such change of cooling water source may be performed by process control unit 26 after
that cooling water has been continuously re-circulated between the heat exchanger
12, 112, 212 and the water tank 28 by means of pipes 27 and 30. In fact, during a
drying process, cooling water progressively heats up, thereby reducing capacity of
heat exchanger 12, 112, 212 to condensate moisture in drying air. A temperature sensor
(not shown) installed within tank 28 and in signal communication with process control
unit 26 may be provided for communicating to such unit 26 that cooling water has reached
a pre-determined hot temperature and, consequently, that efficiency of heat exchanger
12, 112, 212 is getting low. When said pre-determined temperature is met, tank 28
is emptied via conduit 45 and than refilled by pipe line 29 with fresh water from
a main water net.
[0037] Thanks to data pre-programmed in the process control unit 26 heat exchangers 12,
112, 212 and 13, 113 may be activated in any desired sequence, and each of them may
work both continuously both intermittently during the whole drying process. In addition,
by monitoring drying status of articles inside chamber 2 during a drying cycle and
by monitoring working parameters of each heat exchangers 12, 112, 212 and 13, 113,
the process control unit 26 may adjust the working sequence of said heat exchangers
in function of data provided by the monitoring operation. As a mere example, a drying
cycle started with both heat exchangers 12, 112, 212 and 13, 113 in an active state,
may be continued using only one of said heat exchangers, after that temperature of
cooling water inside tank 28 reaches a pre-determined value. In such situation, process
control unit 26 may deactivate water/air heat exchanger 12, 112, 212 by interrupting
circulation of cooling water within water circuit 27, 30. If deactivation of the air/air
heat exchanger 13, 113 is desired, process control unit 26 may turn off cooling air
pumping means 14, leaving said heat exchanger 13, 113 passively passed through by
drying air.
[0038] Conclusively it can be stated that a washing-drying machine 1 according to the invention
has an improved energy efficiency. In particular with such a machine 1 is possible
not only saving water during a washing process by using water recovered during a previous
drying process but it is also possible to adjust the drying air moisture content very
finely by deactivating one of the heat exchangers 12, 13; 112, 113; 212, 113. This
can be done simply turning off air/air heat exchanger 13, 113 cooling air pumping
means 14, and stopping cooling water supply to water/air heat exchanger 12, 112, 212
by means of a valve means installed in the pipe line 27 connecting heat exchanger
12, 112, 212 with water tank 28.
1. A washing-drying machine comprising:
a. an articles storing chamber (2);
b. a water circuit (4) for supplying water to the chamber (2) said water circuit being
connectable to a water supply;
c. an air circuit (7) for circulating drying air within said chamber (2), said air
circuit (7) having pumping means (10), heating means (9) for heating said drying air
and condensing means (8, 108, 208) adapted to remove moisture from said drying air,
said condensing means (8, 108, 208) comprising a first heat exchanger which is water/air
heat exchanger (12, 112, 212)
fluidly connected to said water circuit (4) through a first fluid line (21) such that
at least a portion of water provided for cooling the first heat exchanger (12, 112,
212) can be supplied within said articles storing chamber (2) for washing operations,
and/or said articles storing chamber (2) is hydraulically connected to the first heat
exchanger (12, 112, 212) through a pipe line (40, 27) such that at least a portion
of water provided for washing operations can be supplied to cool said heat exchanger
(12, 112, 212)
characherized in that the condensing means (8, 108, 208) comprise a second heat exchanger
which is air/air heat exchanger (13, 113) connected in series with the first
heat exchanger (12, 112, 212), and a reservoir (11) being provided in fluid communication
with both the first and the second heat exchangers (12, 112, 212; 13, 113) and with
the chamber (2) through a second fluid line (20) so as to allow moisture condensed
in said heat exchangers (12, 112, 212; 13, 113) to be supplied to the chamber (2).
2. A washing-drying machine according to claim 1 wherein said water/air heat exchanger
(12, 112, 212) is in fluid communication with a water tank (28) by means of a water
re-circulating circuit (27, 30).
3. A washing-drying machine according to any preceding claim wherein valve means (25,
23) are provided in said water circuit (4) and in said first fluid line (21) in signal
communication with a process control unit (26) programmed for selecting a water source
for supplying water to the articles storing chamber (2).
4. A washing-drying machine according to claim 3 wherein said process control unit (26)
is in signal communication with further valve means (24, 41) provided respectively
in said second fluid line (20) and in said pipe line (40).
5. A washing-drying machine according to any preceding claim wherein said first water/air
heat exchanger (12, 112, 212) comprises a nozzle (231) hydraulically connected to
a water supply (28) for spraying water against a drying air flow.
6. A washing-drying machine according to claims 5 wherein said first water/air heat exchanger
(12, 112, 212) is placed upstream relative to the second air/air heat exchanger (13,
113).
7. A washing-drying machine according to any claim 1 to 4 wherein said first water/air
heat exchanger (12, 112, 212) comprises a plurality of conduits (16) for circulating
cooling water drained from a water supply (28), said conduits (16) being arranged
within the air circuit (7) for being invested by a drying air flow.
8. A washing-drying machine according to claim 7 wherein said first water/air heat exchanger
(12, 112, 212) is placed downstream relative to the second air/air heat exchanger
(13, 113).
9. A washing-drying machine according to any preceding claim wherein said articles storing
chamber (2) is rotatably mounted within a tub (3).
10. A washing-drying machine according to any preceding claim wherein air filtering means
(15) are arranged in said air circuit (7).
11. A method for washing articles in a washing-drying machine according to claims 1 to
10, said machine comprising an articles storing chamber (2), washing program input
means (44), a process control unit (26), a condensing unit (8, 108, 208) provided
with a water/air heat exchanger (12, 112, 212) and with an air/air heat exchanger
(13, 113), and further comprising a reservoir (11) and a tank (28) for containing
water drained from chamber (2) during a washing process and from both the first and
the second heat exchangers (12, 112, 212; 13, 113) during a drying process, said method
comprising the following steps:
a) acquiring a washing program input by a user through said input means (44);
b) in response to user input of step a) and data acquired by sensor means:
b1) said control unit checks whether water is present in reservoir (11) and further
cheks whether water is present within tank (28)
b2) operating the process control unit (26) for selecting a source of water (4, 11,
28) to be supplied to said chamber (2);
b3) operating the process control unit (26) for establishing in which part of the
washing cycle and whether an amount of water is to be recovered in one of said reservoirs
(28);
c) starting the washing process.
12. A method for drying articles in a washing-drying machine according to claim 1 to 10,
said machine comprising an articles storing chamber (2), drying program input means
(44), sensor means for acquiring articles physical condition at the beginning of a
drying cycle, a condensing means (8, 108, 208) which includes a first heat exchanger
which is water/air heat exchanger (12, 112, 212) and a second heat exchanger which
is air/air heat exchanger (13, 113) provided for condensing moisture from a drying
airflow passing through chamber (2), said method comprising the following steps:
a) Acquiring a drying program input by a user through said input means (44);
b) Operating the process control unit (26) for establishing the activation sequence
of each of said first and second heat exchangers (12, 112, 212; 13, 113) in response
to user input of step a) and/or data acquired by said sensor means;
c) Starting the drying process;
d) Monitoring drying status of said articles and monitoring working parameters of
each heat exchangers (12, 112, 212; 13, 113);
e) Operating the process control unit (26) for adjusting said activation sequence
of said heat exchangers (12, 112, 212; 13, 113) in function of data provided by the
monitoring operation;
1. Wasch- und Trockenmaschine, umfassend:
a. eine Artikelaufnahmekammer (2),
b. einen Wasserkreislauf (4) zum Versorgen der Kammer (2) mit Wasser, wobei der Wasserkreislauf
an eine Wasserversorgung anschließbar ist;
c. einen Luftkreislauf (7) zum Zirkulieren von Trocknungsluft in der Kammer (2), wobei
der Luftkreislauf (7) Pumpmittel (10), Heizmittel (9) zum Aufheizen der Trocknungsluft
und Kondensiermittel (8, 108, 208) aufweist, die dazu eingerichtet sind, Feuchtigkeit
aus der Trocknungsluft abzuziehen, wobei die Kondensiermittel (8, 108, 208) einen
ersten Wärmetauscher umfassen, bei dem es sich um einen Wasser/Luft-Wärmetauscher
(12, 112, 212) handelt, der mit dem Wasserkreislauf (4) über eine erste Fluidleitung
(21) so in Fluidverbindung steht, dass zumindest ein Teil des zur Kühlung des ersten
Wärmetauschers (12, 112, 212) vorgesehenen Wassers der Artikelaufnahmekammer (2) für
Waschvorgänge zugeführt werden kann, und/oder die Artikelaufnahmekammer (2) über eine
Rohrleitung (40, 27) hydraulisch an den ersten Wärmetauscher (12, 112, 212) angeschlossen
ist, so dass zumindest ein Teil des für Waschvorgänge vorgesehenen Wassers zum Kühlen
des Wärmetauschers (12, 112, 212) zugeführt werden kann,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kondensiermittel (8, 108, 208) umfassen: einen zweiten Wärmetauscher, bei dem
es sich um einen Luft/Luft-Wärmetauscher (13, 113) handelt, der mit dem ersten Wärmetauscher
(12, 112, 212) in Reihe geschaltet ist, und ein Reservoir (11), das sowohl mit dem
ersten als auch dem zweiten Wärmetauscher (12, 112, 212; 13, 113) und mit der Kammer
(2) über eine zweite Fluidleitung (20) in Fluidverbindung vorgesehen ist, damit der
Kammer (2) in den Wärmetauschern (12, 112, 212; 13, 113) kondensierte Feuchtigkeit
zugeführt werden kann.
2. Wasch- und Trockenmaschine nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Wasser/Luft-Wärmetauscher (12,
112, 212) über einen Wasserumwälzkreislauf (27, 30) in Fluidverbindung mit einem Wassertank
(28) steht.
3. Wasch- und Trockenmaschine nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei Ventilmittel
(25, 23) in dem Wasserkreislauf (4) und in der ersten Fluidleitung (21) in Signalverbindung
mit einer Verfahrenssteuereinheit (26) vorgesehen sind, die zur Auswahl einer Wasserquelle
zur Versorgung der Artikelaufnahmekammer (2) mit Wasser programmiert ist.
4. Wasch- und Trockenmaschine nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Verfahrenssteuereinheit (26)
in Signalverbindung mit weiteren Ventilmitteln (24, 41) steht, die in der zweiten
Fluidleitung (20) und in der Rohrleitung (40) vorgesehen sind.
5. Wasch- und Trockenmaschine nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei der erste Wasser/Luft-Wärmetauscher
(12, 112, 212) eine Düse (231) umfasst, die hydraulisch mit einer Wasserversorgung
(28) verbunden ist, um Wasser auf einen Trocknungsluftstrom zu sprühen.
6. Wasch- und Trockenmaschine nach Anspruch 5, wobei der erste Wasser/Luft-Wärmetauscher
(12, 112, 212) stromaufwärts des zweiten Luft/Luft-Wärmetauschers (13, 113) angeordnet
ist.
7. Wasch- und Trockenmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei der erste Wasser/Luft-Wärmetauscher
(12, 112, 212) eine Vielzahl von Leitungen (16) zum Zirkulieren von aus einer Wasserversorgung
(28) abgelaufenem Kühlwasser umfasst, wobei die Leitungen (16) innerhalb des Luftkreislaufs
(7) angeordnet sind, um mit einem Trocknungsluftstrom beaufschlagt zu werden.
8. Wasch- und Trockenmaschine nach Anspruch 7, wobei der erste Wasser/Luft-Wärmetauscher
(12, 112, 212) stromabwärts des zweiten Luft/Luft-Wärmetauschers (13, 113) angeordnet
ist.
9. Wasch- und Trockenmaschine nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei die Artikelaufnahmekammer
(2) drehbar in einem Bottich (3) montiert ist.
10. Wasch- und Trockenmaschine nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei in dem Luftkreislauf
(7) Luftfiltermittel (15) angeordnet sind.
11. Verfahren zum Waschen von Artikeln in einer Wasch- und Trockenmaschine nach den Ansprüchen
1 bis 10, wobei die Maschine eine Artikelaufnahmekammer (2), Waschprogrammeingabemittel
(44), eine Verfahrenssteuereinheit (26), eine Kondensiereinheit (8, 108, 208), die
mit einem Wasser/Luft-Wärmetauscher (12, 112, 212) und mit einem Luft/Luft-Wärmetauscher
(13, 113) versehen ist, und ferner ein Reservoir (11) und einen Tank (28) zur Aufnahme
von Wasser, das während eines Waschvorgangs aus der Kammer (2) und während eines Trocknungsvorgangs
sowohl aus dem ersten als auch aus dem zweiten Wärmetauscher (12, 112, 212; 13, 113)
abgelaufen ist, umfasst, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfasst:
a) Erfassen einer Waschprogrammeingabe durch einen Benutzer über die Eingabemittel
(44);
b) auf Grund einer Benutzereingabe in Schritt a) und von über Sensormittel erfassten
Daten:
b1) Prüfung durch die Steuereinheit, ob im Reservoir (11) Wasser vorhanden ist, und
ferner, ob im Tank (28) Wasser vorhanden ist;
b2) Betätigung der Verfahrenssteuereinheit (26) zum Wählen einer Quelle (4, 11, 28)
für Wasser, das der Kammer (2) zugeführt werden soll;
b3) Betätigung der Verfahrenssteuereinheit (26) zum Feststellen, in welchem Teil des
Waschzyklus eine Wassermenge, wenn überhaupt, in einem der Reservoirs (28) aufgefangen
werden soll;
c) Starten des Waschvorgangs.
12. Verfahren zum Trocknen von Artikeln in einer Wasch- und Trockenmaschine nach Anspruch
1 bis 10, wobei die Maschine eine Artikelaufnahmekammer (2), Trockenprogrammeingabemittel
(44), Sensormittel zum Erfassen des physischen Zustands der Artikel zu Beginn eines
Trocknungszyklus, Kondensiermittel (8, 108, 208), die mit einem ersten Wärmetauscher,
bei dem es sich um einen Wasser/Luft-Wärmetauscher (12, 112, 212) handelt, und mit
einem zweiten Wärmetauscher, bei dem es sich um einen Luft/Luft-Wärmetauscher (13,
113) handelt, versehen sind, um Feuchtigkeit aus einem durch die Kammer (2) fließenden
Trocknungsluftstrom zu kondensieren, umfasst, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte
umfasst:
a) Erfassen einer Trockenprogrammeingabe durch einen Benutzer über die Eingabemittel
(44);
b) Betätigung der Verfahrenssteuereinheit (26) zum Festlegen der Aktivierungssequenz
jedes der ersten und zweiten Wärmetauscher (12, 112, 212; 13, 113) auf Grund der Benutzereingabe
in Schritt a) und/oder von durch die Sensormittel erfassten Daten;
c) Starten des Trocknungsvorgangs;
d) Überwachen des Trocknungszustands der Artikel und der Arbeitsparameter jedes der
Wärmetauscher (12, 112, 212; 13, 113);
e) Betätigung der Verfahrenssteuereinheit (26) zum Anpassen der Aktivierungssequenz
der Wärmetauscher (12, 112, 212; 13, 113) abhängig von durch den Überwachungsvorgang
gelieferten Daten.
1. Machine à laver et sécher le linge comprenant :
a. une chambre de stockage d'articles (2) ;
b. un circuit d'eau (4) pour amener l'eau à la chambre (2), ledit circuit d'eau pouvant
être raccordé à une alimentation d'eau ;
c. un circuit d'air (7) pour faire circuler l'air de séchage à l'intérieur de ladite
chambre (2), ledit circuit d'air (7) ayant des moyens de pompage (10), des moyens
de chauffage (9) pour chauffer ledit air de séchage et des moyens de condensation
(8, 108, 208) adaptés pour retirer l'humidité dudit air de séchage, lesdits moyens
de condensation (8, 108, 208) comprenant un premier échangeur de chaleur qui est un
échangeur de chaleur eau/air (12, 112, 212) raccordé de manière fluide audit circuit
d'eau (4) par une première conduite de fluide (21) de sorte qu'au moins une partie
de l'eau fournie pour refroidir le premier échangeur de chaleur (12, 112, 212) peut
être amenée à l'intérieur de ladite chambre de stockage d'articles (2) pour des opérations
de lavage, et/ou ladite chambre de stockage d'articles (2) est raccordée de manière
hydraulique au premier échangeur de chaleur (12, 112, 212) par une conduite (40, 27)
de sorte qu'au moins une partie de l'eau fournie pour les opérations de lavage peut
être fournie pour refroidir ledit échangeur de chaleur (12, 112, 212),
caractérisée en ce que les moyens de condensation (8, 108, 208) comprennent un second échangeur de chaleur
qui est un échangeur de chaleur air/air (13, 113) raccordé en série avec le premier
échangeur de chaleur (12, 112, 212) et un réservoir (11) qui est en communication
fluidique à la fois avec le premier et le second échangeur de chaleur (12, 112, 212
; 13, 113) et avec la chambre (2) par une seconde conduite de fluide (20) afin de
permettre l'amenée de l'humidité condensée dans lesdits échangeurs de chaleur (12,
112, 212 ; 13, 113) à la chambre (2).
2. Machine à laver et à sécher le linge selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle ledit
échangeur de chaleur eau/air (12, 112, 212) est en communication fluidique avec un
réservoir d'eau (28) au moyen d'un circuit de recirculation d'eau (27, 30).
3. Machine à laver et à sécher le linge selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans laquelle des moyens de valve (25, 23) sont prévus dans ledit circuit d'eau (4)
et dans ladite première conduite de fluide (21) en communication de signal avec une
unité de commande de traitement (26) programmée pour sélectionner une source d'eau
afin d'amener l'eau à la chambre de stockage d'articles (2).
4. Machine à laver et à sécher le linge selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle ladite
unité de commande de traitement (26) est en communication de signal avec d'autres
moyens de valve (24, 41) prévus respectivement dans ladite seconde conduite de fluide
(20) et dans ladite conduite (40).
5. Machine à laver et à sécher le linge selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans laquelle ledit premier échangeur de chaleur eau/air (12, 112, 212) comprend une
buse (231) hydrauliquement raccordée à une alimentation d'eau (28) pour pulvériser
l'eau contre un écoulement d'air de séchage.
6. Machine à laver et à sécher le linge selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle ledit
premier échangeur de chaleur d'eau/air (12, 112, 212) est placé en amont par rapport
au second échangeur de chaleur air/air (13, 113).
7. Machine à laver et à sécher le linge selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
4, dans laquelle ledit premier échangeur de chaleur eau/air (12, 112, 212) comprend
une pluralité de conduits (16) pour faire circuler l'eau de refroidissement évacuée
de l'alimentation d'eau (28), lesdits conduits (16) étant agencés à l'intérieur du
circuit d'air (7) pour être investis par un écoulement d'air de séchage.
8. Machine à laver et à sécher le linge selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle ledit
premier échangeur de chaleur eau/air (12, 112, 212) est placé en aval par rapport
au second échangeur de chaleur air/air (13, 113).
9. Machine à laver et à sécher le linge selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans laquelle ladite chambre de stockage d'articles (2) est montée à rotation à l'intérieur
d'une cuve (3).
10. Machine à laver et à sécher le linge selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans laquelle des moyens de filtre à air (15) sont agencés dans ledit circuit d'air
(7).
11. Procédé pour laver des articles dans une machine à laver et à sécher le linge selon
les revendications 1 à 10, ladite machine comprenant une chambre de stockage d'articles
(2), des moyens d'entrée de programme de lavage (44), une unité de commande de traitement
(26), une unité de condensation (8, 108, 208) prévue avec un échangeur de chaleur
eau/air (12, 112, 212) et avec un échangeur de chaleur air/air (13, 113) et comprenant
en outre un réservoir (11) et un bac (28) pour contenir l'eau évacuée de la chambre
(2) pendant un traitement de lavage et à la fois du premier et du second échangeur
de chaleur (12, 112, 212 ; 13, 113) pendant un traitement de séchage, ledit procédé
comprenant les étapes suivantes consistant à :
a) acquérir un programme de lavage entré par un utilisateur par lesdits moyens d'entrée
(44) ;
b) en réponse à l'entrée de l'utilisateur de l'étape a) et aux réponses acquises par
les moyens de capteur :
b1) ladite unité de commande vérifie si l'eau est présente dans le réservoir (11)
et vérifie en outre si l'eau est présente à l'intérieur de la cuve (28) ;
b2) actionner l'unité de commande de traitement (26) pour sélectionner une source
d'eau (4, 11, 28) à amener dans ladite chambre (2) ;
b3) actionner l'unité de commande de traitement (26) pour établir dans quelle partie
du cycle de lavage et si une quantité d'eau doit être récupérée dans l'un desdits
réservoirs (28) ;
c) démarrer le procédé de lavage.
12. Procédé pour sécher des articles dans une machine à laver et à sécher le linge selon
les revendications 1 à 10, ladite machine comprenant une chambre de stockage d'articles
(2), des moyens d'entrée de programme de séchage (44), des moyens de capteur pour
acquérir l'état physique des articles au début d'un cycle de séchage, des moyens de
condensation (8, 108, 208) qui comprennent un premier échangeur de chaleur qui est
un échangeur de chaleur eau/air (12, 112, 212) et un second échangeur de chaleur qui
est un échangeur de chaleur air/air (13, 113) prévu pour condenser l'humidité de l'écoulement
d'air de séchage passant par la chambre (2), ledit procédé comprenant les étapes suivantes
consistant à :
a) acquérir un programme de séchage entré par un utilisateur par lesdits moyens d'entrée
(44) ;
b) actionner l'unité de commande de traitement (26) pour établir la séquence d'activation
de chacun desdits premier et second échangeurs de chaleur (12, 112, 212 ; 13, 113)
en réponse à l'entrée utilisateur de l'étape a) et/ou des données acquises par lesdits
moyens de capteur ;
c) démarrer le procédé de séchage ;
d) vérifier l'état de séchage desdits articles et vérifier les paramètres de travail
de chaque échangeur de chaleur (12, 112, 212 ; 13, 113) ;
e) actionner l'unité de commande de traitement (26) pour ajuster ladite séquence d'activation
desdits échangeurs de chaleur (12, 112, 212 ; 13, 113) en fonction des données fournies
par l'opération de surveillance.