WASHER DRYER APPLIANCE WITH IMPROVED FILTERING

Description

[0001] The object of the present invention is a washer dryer appliance for household linen.

[0002] More in particular, the object of the invention is an improved device for filtering the air used while drying the household linen.

[0003] The invention, therefore, relates to the field of household appliances, in particular to that of household washer dryer appliances.

[0004] As is known, washer dryer appliances are washing machines provided with an additional system for circulating the drying air that operates at the end of a washing, rinsing and spinning cycle so as to allow a complete and quick drying of the household linen.

[0005] The annexed figure 1 schematically shows a washer dryer appliance according to the prior art.

[0006] On the front wall 1.1 of the washer dryer appliance there is provided the loading port 1.2 for loading the household linen into the rotating drum 2 provided with holes 2.1 on the cylindrical wall thereof. Drum 2 is seated within tub 3. Underneath tub 3, a drainage sleeve 4 sends the water to be drained to a water filter 5 wherefrom the water goes to a drainage pipe 6 wherealong there is mounted the drainage pump 7 that sucks the water to be delivered to the U-shaped drainage terminal 6.1.

[0007] The water filter 5 is necessary because during the washing and spinning, some nap (also called "fluff' or "lint" and indicated with letter F) inevitably comes off the household linen and would quickly clog drainage pipe and pump 6 and 7.

[0008] The water filter 5 can be easily removed from the front wall 1.1 for a routine and easy periodical maintenance by the user.

[0009] The water filter 5 is contained or is a part, in general, of a cylindrical cartridge with bayonet coupling (or equivalent means, such as threaded caps, mechanical joints, etc.).

[0010] As regards the drying means, the air used for this process is heated by a heat generator 8.1 (a burner or an electrical resistor) then enters into the drum 2 through some of the uppermost holes 2.1; it goes through the household linen; comes out of drum 2 through the lowermost holes 2.1 to enter into tub 3 wherefrom it comes out through an inlet 3.1. A suction duct 8.2 is fitted onto the latter, which rises upwards to a suction unit 8.3. Hence, the air goes to a condenser 9 where the air is dehumidified in various manners. The example in the figure shows the most used means, consisting of a water sprayer 9.1. Whatever the condensation means used, the condensed humidity (as well as the water sprayed by the optional sprayer 9.1) is guided along a condensation drainage pipe 9.2 to the drainage pipe 6 upstream of the drainage pump 7. As regards the dehumidified air, it may be entirely vented to the environment through the air vent 9.3 (in this case, it is an open circuit air circulation system) or recirculated towards the heat generator 8.1 according to a version not shown in fig. 1 (closed circuit circulation system) or, finally, only partly recirculated (mixed system).

[0011] The heat generator 8.1 is arranged in the top portion of the washer dryer appliance so that it may not be reached by the water.

[0012] All the means comprised in the drying apparatus just described that are located downstream of tub 3 with reference to the air flow direction, that is, inlet 3.1, suction duct 8.2, suction unit 8.3, condenser 9, condensation drainage pipe 9.2 and finally, air vent 9.3, for space reasons are arranged in the back portion of the washer dryer appliance, substantially behind tub 3.

[0013] Inlet 3.1, in particular, is arranged in the bottom portion of the back wall 3.2 of tub 3, in a position substantially diagonally opposite that of air inlet into the tub; in fact, if it were located on bottom 3.3 of tub 3 it would always be flooded with water, forming a so-called hydraulic cap that would make extracting the drying air difficult or impossible while it would be difficult to arrange it in the lower portion of the front wall 3.4 of tub 3 that is occupied by the front loading port 1.2.

[0014] While most of fluff F is collected into the water filter 5, it also comes off during the drying steps.

[0015] As the drying cycles are repeated, fluff F therefore also collects into the means of the drying apparatus downstream of tub 3. In particular, fluff F may clog the passage section of the suction duct 8.2, or collect onto the suction unit 8.3, reducing the efficiency thereof. The load losses for the drying air, which result from the laying of said fluff F, also correspond to an increase in the electric consumptions of suction unit 8.3, in the noise levels thereof (this last feature being not of secondary importance for a washer dryer appliance intended for household use), a decrease in the maximum capacity obtainable, as well as turbulences in the drying air that flows through the washer dryer appliance.

[0016] For the washer dryer appliances with closed or mixed air circulation, moreover, said lint may cause a fire when it contacts the heat generator.

[0017] In the so-called gas washer dryer appliances (reference shall be made to fig. 1), where the heat generator 8.1 is provided with a burner 8.1, said turbulences may lead to a flame instability (in the case of gas washer dryer appliances, drying air more correctly refers to a mixture of air and burnt gases; for convenience of description, anyway, in the following description reference shall be made to the expression "drying air").

[0018] Fluff F that goes beyond the suction unit 8.3 sooner or later, through the condensation drainage pipe 9.2 and also pushed by the water sprayer 9.1, may also reach the drainage pipe 6 and the drainage pump 7, clogging the last mentioned as well.

[0019] Since the prior art does not provide filters along the air ducts, this clogging cannot be eliminated but by accessing the back side of the washer dryer appliance, after having removed it from its position, having the clogged components removed and cleaned by the Technical Support Service.

[0020] In short, while the water filter 5 allows routine maintenance (that is, by the user), in the washer dryer appliance of the prior art the forming of fluff F also requires periodical extraordinary maintenance operations (that is, by the Technical Support Service).

[0021] Another drawback of the prior art is the excessive complexity of the means comprised in the drying apparatus downstream of tub 3; in particular, the need for the condensation drainage pipe 9.2.

[0022] Said structural drawback is also evident in the document US 2006/075790 wherein the presence of an air filter along the drying apparatus does not eliminate the risk of its clogging from fluff, in particular of the discharge pipe for the "drying air" upstream of the same filter.

[0023] Moreover, if cold running water is used for reducing the humidity (as in the case of sprayers 9.1), there is the further drawback, well known and felt, of consuming additional water compared to that required for washing.

[0024] Finally, if the condensing means are not said sprayers 9.1, it is known that their nozzles easily become clogged due to scaling, especially in the presence of hard water, or due to other impurities.

[0025] The only remedy known to date against these two last-mentioned drawbacks is the use of a heat pump dehumidifier; a very efficient but very expensive solution.

[0026] As described and shown in the documents JP 2003 275497 and EP 1 669 488, the pulling down of the fluff carried by the "drying air" can be achieved introducing along the drying apparatus "cyclonic means" able to transmit a swirling motion to the air flow passing through it. Even the use of such "cyclonic means" leads to a structural complication of the washer-dryer machine and an increase in its production/commercial costs. US 2006/0075790 describes a washing/drying machine having a lint filter in the upper part of the machine casing.

[0027] The object of the present invention is to eliminate at least a part of the drawbacks mentioned hereinabove.

[0028] In particular, the main object of the present invention is to provide a washer dryer appliance provided with air filtering means that may be accessed and inspected from the front wall of the washer dryer appliance.

[0029] A second object of the present invention is to provide a washer dryer appliance wherein the drying apparatus has high safety standards during the household linen drying cycles. A further object, at least of some versions of the present invention, is to provide a washer dryer appliance the drying apparatus whereof has a simplified construction, with a reduced number of components and less expensive from the production point of view.

[0030] A further object, at least of some versions of the present invention, is to provide a washer dryer appliance wherein said filtering means may be cleaned according to the routine maintenance operations already usual for the user.

[0031] A further object, at least of some versions of the present invention, is to provide condensing means that are simplified compared to the prior art.

[0032] A further object, at least of some versions of the present invention, is to provide a washer dryer appliance wherein the water consumption for reducing the humidity of the drying air is substantially reduced or eliminated.

[0033] These objects and other advantageous results, as it will clearly appear, are achieved with a device according to the annexed main claims.

[0034] The features of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, according to the patent claims and illustrated, by way of a non-limiting example, in the annexed drawings, wherein:

• figure 1 schematically shows a cutaway view of a washer dryer appliance according to a first possible embodiment of the prior art.
• figure 2 schematically shows a cutaway view of a washer dryer appliance according to a version of the invention wherein the heat generator that warms the drying air is provided with a gas burner.
• figure 3 schematically shows a cutaway view of an electrical washer dryer appliance according to another version of the invention; the figure then shows an alternative to the above heat generator that is provided with an electrical resistor.
• figure 4 shows a cutaway view of a detail of the washer dryer appliance of figure 2 and/or 3.
• figure 5 schematically shows an arrangement of the air and water filters according to the general teaching of the invention.

[0035] Of course, the air filtering means must be arranged substantially just downstream of the drying air outlet from tub 3 but in such position as to be accessible for inspection during a routine maintenance by the user; that is, they must be removable without moving the washer dryer appliance from its seat exactly as it is currently provided for the water filter 5 of the prior art.

[0036] It has been seen that keeping the current architecture of the washer dryer appliance drying means substantially unchanged, it is impossible to arrange a drying air filter along the ducts thereof downstream of tub 3 in a position easily accessible by the user for a routine maintenance of the same filter.

[0037] On the other hand, such easy access may be obtained, as shall be seen in detail in the description, by providing at least:

• a sleeve for extracting the drying air to be filtered from the bottom of tub 3 and connected to the drainage pipe of the washing and rinsing water for ensuring the drainage thereof,
• a suction duct, downstream of the air filter, substantially ascending in the direction of the drying air path for draining the water that may be present therein towards the drainage pipe of the washing and rinsing water.

[0038] As shall appear clearly, said requirements are compatible with the position the water filter must have so that both (air filter and water filter) may be arranged in a single cartridge.

[0039] The features of the invention shall now be described with reference to figures 2, 3, 4 and 5. All the components of the washer dryer appliance 1 of the invention that are common to those of the washer dryer appliance according to the prior art of fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numeral and are not listed anymore except for a mention of those that are each time required. In the annexed figures, some components of the washer dryer appliance 1, such as the means for feeding and heating the washing water, the "motor unit" or the hanging means of tub 3 are not shown, as they are per se conventional.

[0040] According to the most general teachings of the invention, the drying air is extracted from bottom 3.3 of tub 3 through an air discharge sleeve 4.a, as already the washing and rinsing water is extracted from the same bottom 3.3 through a water discharge sleeve 4.h (reference shall be made to the diagram of fig. 5).

[0041] Advantageously but not necessarily, such extraction may take place through a single drainage sleeve 4 common to the water and to the drying air and hereinafter, reference shall always be made to such main version.

[0042] As per prior art, downstream of this drainage sleeve 4, the water is guided by suitable walls 15.h to cross a water filter 11 arranged lower than the bottom of tub 3.3 after which it reaches the drainage pipe 6, the drainage pump 7 and finally, the U-shaped drainage pipe 6.1.

[0043] Always as per prior art, at the end of any water drainage cycle some water intentionally stagnates into the drainage pipe 6 and/or in the drainage pump 7 and optionally upstream thereof up to such a level 16 as to form a hydraulic cap that prevents the propagation of smell from the U-shaped drainage terminal 6.1.

[0044] As regards the drying air, it is sucked by a suction unit 8.3 which may be similar to that of the prior art, reaches the drainage sleeve 4 from the heat generator 8.1 after having crossed drum 2 substantially as per prior art.

[0045] Once it has flown through the drainage sleeve 4, the air is guided by suitable walls 15.a to flow through an air filter 12, on top whereof it then enters a suction duct 14 free from counter slopes, that is, substantially ascending in the direction of the drying air path wherealong or at the end whereof it encounters the above suction unit 8.3.

[0046] As per the prior art, the extracted drying air can be entirely ejected (as shown in the figures) or totally or partly recirculated (not shown).

[0047] As regards the means for condensing and discharging the water condensed by the drying air, they depend on the possible versions, as shall be seen hereinafter.

[0048] Any water present in the suction duct 14, or by condensation of the drying air humidity or also because introduced by special condensing means 17 (reference shall be made, for example, to fig. 3), is drained towards the drainage pipe 6 since said suction duct 14 is positioned above the air filter 12 and is free from counter slopes and because once it has gone beyond the air filter 12, the water is then guided by suitable walls 15 into the drainage pipe 6.

[0049] The drainage sleeve 4, the air filter 12 and as a consequence, also the suction duct 14 are arranged in a sufficiently high position relative to said level 16 so that each time the drying cycle is active, the air passage is at least partly free, that is, free from hydraulic caps.

[0050] On the other hand, the hydraulic cap formed by level 16 in the drainage pipe 6 and/or in the drainage pump 7 and optionally upstream thereof prevents the suction unit 8.3 from sucking foul air from the U-shaped drainage pipe 6.1.

[0051] The teachings provided so far show how it is possible to provide a duct 4.a/4, 15.a, 14 which collects the drying air from bottom 3.3 of tub 3 rather than from its back wall 3.2. A consequence of this is that now it is possible to arrange the air filter in such position as to be accessible from the front wall 1.1 of the washer dryer appliance 1 so that it may be removed for a routine maintenance by the user.

[0052] An immediate consequence of the presence of the air filter 12 is that fluff F does not reach the air extraction means downstream of the same; in particular, fluff F cannot return to the heat generator 8.1 with the risk of fires, nor it can cause flame instability when the heat generator 8.1 is a burner 8.1.

[0053] As regards the condensing means 17 of the drying air humidity, according to one version they can now be arranged along the suction duct 14 (reference shall be made, for example, to fig. 3) wherefrom the condensation, as seen, spontaneously drops to the drainage pipe 6; the condensation drainage pipe 9.2, therefore, is not required anymore.

[0054] According to a possible version, however, the drying air that is extracted from the drainage sleeve 4 is guided by walls 15.a to lap the surface of the water stagnating at said level 16.

[0055] Since the drying takes place at the end of the washing processes and in turn, these always end with cold water rinsing, the surface of the water stagnating at level 16 is always cold and thus subject to condensing, at least partly, the humidity contained in the drying air provided that the contact surface is sufficiently large.

[0056] Such teaching allows totally eliminating the water consumption required for condensation according to the prior art, if the lapped surface is sufficiently large.

[0057] According to another version, a first dehumidification process takes place by making the drying air lap said water surface at said level 16 while the process is completed by the above condensing means 17 arranged along the suction duct 14 so that, at least, the water consumption for dehumidification is significantly reduced.

[0058] It has been found that a 16 cm² surface already achieves satisfactory results.

[0059] Preferably, the air filter 12 is arranged so that its greater axis has horizontal lying. Preferably, the air filter 12 is provided with the same type of net used in known water filters 5.

[0060] Preferably, also the water filter 11 is arranged so that its greater axis has horizontal lying. Preferably, also the water filter 11 is provided with the same type of net used in known water filters 5.

[0061] Preferably, both the air filter 12 and the water filter 11 are arranged in a single cartridge 18 similar to that used for the water filters 5 of the prior art, removable by the user for routine maintenance.

[0062] If the condensation of the drying air humidity is provided, at least partly, on the surface of the water stagnating up to said level 16, cartridge 18 is arranged, when in operating position

• with substantially horizontal greater axis;
• with the air filter 12 above the water filter 11;
• with the water filter 11 immersed at least partly below level 16 of the stagnating water. In fact, these are the conditions for the drying air to freely lap the surface of the stagnating water.

[0063] Preferably, said water 11 and air 12 filter of said cartridge 18 are parts of a single filter 11/12 that is part of the cylindrical walls of the same cartridge 18.

[0064] In conclusion, said cartridge 18 may be a single cylindrical cartridge accessible from the front wall 1.1 of the washer dryer appliance 1 for the routine maintenance operations and that allows the dual filtering of the washing water and of the drying air, extracted from tub 3 and introduced into said cartridge 18 through said drainage sleeve 4, by means, respectively:

• of the water filter 11 arranged on the bottom of cartridge 18 at said drainage pipe 6 of the washing and rinsing water
• of the air filter 12 arranged in the top portion of the same cartridge 18 at said suction duct 14.

[0065] In conclusion, using the teachings of the invention, what matters is where said cartridge 18 is arranged and to which ducts it is connected. This is a further advantage since the present invention implies adaptations of the washer dryer appliance of the prior art that are inexpensive and that do not modify the outer appearance nor the user's habits for routine maintenance.

Claims

1. Washer-dryer (1) suitable for washing and drying linen, comprising a rotating drum (2) contained in a washing tub (3),
wherein the drying is carried out by drying air and wherein the drying process takes place through a drying apparatus comprising a heat generator (8.1), a suction duct (14) and a suction unit (8.3),
wherein the washing and rinsing water is drained from the bottom (3.3) of said tub (3) through a water discharge sleeve (4.h; 4), to flow through a water filter (11), a drainage pipe (6), a drainage pump (7) and finally, a U-shaped drainage pipe (6.1) and wherein
means for conveying and filtering the drying air are provided, characterized in that said means comprise

- an air discharge sleeve (4.a; 4) from the bottom (3.3) of the tub (3),

- guiding walls (15.a) for guiding air towards an air filter (12),

- said duct (14) which ascends without counterslopes and it is positioned above said air filter (12),

- said suction unit (8.3);

and in that

- said air discharge sleeve (4.a, 4) and air filter (12) are arranged at a higher height than that of the water (16) that stagnates in the drainage pipe (6), in such position as to leave at least partly free the drying air flow along said same air discharge sleeve (4.a; 4) and air filter (12),

- whereas said level (16) of said stagnating water has such height as to form a hydraulic plug between said suction unit (8.3) and a U-shaped drainage pipe (6.1).

2. Washer-dryer (1) according to the previous claim
characterised in that
there are further provided conveying means (14, 15.h, 15) for the water that can be generated and/or released into said suction duct (14) from the drying air passing through it comprising

- the same suction duct (14),

- said guiding walls (15.a) guiding the air towards said air filter (12),

- futher guiding walls (15.h, 15) guiding the washing and rinsing water across said water filter (11) towards the discharge pipe (6).

3. Washer-dryer (1) according to the previous claim
characterised in that
said air filter (12) is arranged in correspondence to front wall (1.1) of the washer-dryer in such position as to be accessible to the user for routine maintenance operations.

4. Washer-dryer (1) according to any previous claim
characterised in that
said water filter (11) is immersed at least partly below said level (16) of the water stagnating in said discharge pipe (6), the drying air being guided by said walls (15.a) toward said air filter (12) to lapping the surface of the water stagnating at said level (16).

5. Washer-dryer (1) according to the previous claim
characterised in that the
surface of the water stagnating in the drainage pipe (6) at said level (16) has an area of at least 16 cm²_.

6. Washer-dryer (1) according to any previous claim
characterised in that
said air filter (12), in operating conditions, is arranged so that its greater axis has horizontal lying.

7. Washer-dryer (1) according to any previous claim
characterised in that
said air filter (12) is provided with the same type of net used in known water filters (5).

8. Washer-dryer (1) according to any previous claim
characterised in that
said water (4.h) and air (4.a) discharge sleeves consist of a single discharge sleeve (4).

9. Washer-dryer (1) according to the previous claim
characterised in that
said air (12) and water (11) filters are arranged in a single cartridge (18) removable by the user for routine maintenance.

10. Washer-dryer (1) according to the previous claim
characterised in that
said air (12) and water (11) filters are parts of a single filter (11/12) in turn part of the cylindrical walls of said cartridge (18).

11. Washer-dryer (1) according to claim 9 or claim 10
characterised in that
said cartridge (18), in operating conditions

- has substantially horizontal axis

- has said air filter (12) above said water filter (11)

- whereas said water filter (11) is at least partly immersed below said stagnating water level (16) so that the drying air may freely lap said water level (16).

12. Washer-dryer (1) according to any previous claim
characterised in that
any humidity condensing means (17) for the drying air are arranged along said suction duct (14).

13. Method for condensing the humidity present in the drying air in a washer dryer (1) according to claim 4 or claim 11
characterised in that
it comprises the step of having said air lap the surface of the cold water stagnating at said level (16), said step being optionally followed by further condensing processes.

Ansprüche

1. Waschtrockner (1), der für Waschen und Trocknen von Wäsche geeignet ist, der eine rotierende Trommel (2) aufweist, die in einem Waschbottich (3) enthalten ist,
wobei das Trocknen durch Trocknungsluft durchgeführt wird und wobei das Trocknungsverfahren durch eine Trocknungsvorrichtung erfolgt, die einen Wärmeerzeuger (8.1), eine Saugleitung (14) und eine Saugeinheit (8.3) aufweist,
wobei das Wasch- und Spülwasser von dem Boden (3.3) des Bottichs (3) durch einen Wasserabflussschlauch (4.h, 4) abgelassen wird, um durch einen Wasserfilter (11), eine Ablaufleitung (6), eine Entleerungspumpe (7) und schließlich ein u-förmiges Ablaufrohr (6.1) zu fließen,
und wobei:

Mittel zum Leiten und Filtern der Trocknungsluft vorgesehen sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mittel Folgendes aufweisen:

- einen Luftauslassschlauch (4.a, 4) von dem Boden (3.3) des Bottichs (3),

- Führungswände (15.a) zum Leiten von Luft in Richtung eines Luftfilters (12),

- die Leitung (14), die ohne Gegengefälle ansteigt und über dem Luftfilter (12) positioniert ist,

- die Saugeinheit (8.3);

und wobei

- der Luftauslassschlauch (4.a, 4) und der Luftfilter (12) auf einer höheren Höhe als die des Wassers (16), das in der Ablaufleitung (6) stagniert, in einer solchen Position angeordnet sind, um die Trocknungsluft zumindest teilweise durch den Luftauslassschlauch (4.a; 4) und den Luftfilter (12) frei strömen zu lassen

- wobei der Stand (16) des stagnierenden Wassers eine solche Höhe hat, um einen hydraulischen Stopfen zwischen der Saugeinheit (8.3) und einem u-förmigen Ablaufrohr (6.1) zu bilden,

2. Waschtrockner (1) nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
ferner Mittel zum Leiten (14, 15.h, 15) für das Wasser vorgesehen sind, das erzeugt werden kann und/oder in die Saugleitung (14) von der durch sie strömenden Trocknungsluft freigesetzt werden kann, die

- dieselbe Saugleitung (14) aufweisen;

- wobei die Führungswände (15.a) die Luft in Richtung des Luftfilters (12) leiten,

- wobei weitere Führungswände (15.h, 15) das Wasch- und Spülwasser durch den Wasserfilter (11) in Richtung der Ablaufleitung (6) leiten.

3. Waschtrockner (1) nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Luftfilter (12) in Übereinstimmung mit der Stirnwand (1.1) des Waschtrockners in einer solchen Position angeordnet ist, um für den Benutzer für die routinemäßigen Wartungsarbeiten zugänglich zu sein.

4. Waschtrockner (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Wasserfilter (11) zumindest teilweise unterhalb des Stands (16) des Wassers, das in der Ablaufleitung (6) stagniert, eingetaucht ist, wobei die Trocknungsluft durch
die Wände (15.a) in Richtung des Luftfilters (12) geleitet wird, um die Oberfläche des stagnierenden Wassers auf dem Stand (16) zu überlappen.

5. Waschtrockner (1) nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Oberfläche des Wassers, das in der Ablaufleitung (6) auf dem Stand (16) stagniert, eine Fläche von mindestens 16 cm² aufweist.

6. Waschtrockner (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Luftfilter (12) unter Betriebsbedingungen derart angeordnet ist, dass seine größere Achse horizontal liegt.

7. Waschtrockner (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Luftfilter (12) mit der gleichen Art von Netz versehen ist, das in bekannten Wasserfiltern (5) eingesetzt wird.

8. Waschtrockner (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Wasserabflussschlauch (4.h) und der Luftauslassschlauch (4.a) aus einem einzigen Abflussschlauch bestehen (4).

9. Waschtrockner (1) nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Luftfilter (12) und der Wasserfilter (11) in einer einzigen Patrone (18) angeordnet sind, die von dem Benutzer für die routinemäßigen Wartungsarbeiten abgenommen werden kann.

10. Waschtrockner (1) nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Luftfilter (12) und der Wasserfilter (11) Teile eines einzigen Filters (11/12) sind, der wiederum Teil der zylindrischen Wände der Patrone (18) ist.

11. Waschtrockner (1) nach dem Anspruch 9 oder 10,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Patrone (18) unter Betriebsbedingungen

- im Wesentlichen eine horizontale Achse aufweist

- den Luftfilter (12) über dem Wasserfilter (11) aufweist,

- wobei der Wasserfilter (11) zumindest teilweise unter dem stagnierenden Wasserstand (16) eingetaucht ist, so dass die Trocknungsluft den Wasserstand (16) frei überlappen kann.

12. Waschtrockner (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
Feuchtigkeitskondensationsmittel (17) für die Trocknungsluft entlang der Saugleitung (14) angeordnet sind.

13. Verfahren zum Kondensieren der in der Trocknungsluft in einem Waschtrockner (1) vorhandenen Feuchtigkeit nach Anspruch 4 oder Anspruch 11,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
es den Schritt aufweist, bei dem die Luft die Oberfläche des kalten Wassers, das bei dem Stand (16) stagniert, überlappt, wobei auf diesen Schritt gegebenenfalls weitere Kondensationverfahren folgen.

Revendications

1. Machine à laver séchant (1) adaptée pour le lavage et le séchage de linge, comprenant un tambour rotatif (2) contenu dans une cuve de lavage (3), dans lequel le séchage est effectué par séchage à l'air et dans lequel le procédé de séchage a lieu à travers un appareil de séchage comprenant un générateur de chaleur (8.1), un conduit d'aspiration (14) et une unité d'aspiration (8.3),
dans lequel l'eau de lavage et de rinçage est drainée depuis la partie inférieure (3.3) de ladite cuve (3) par l'intermédiaire d'un manchon d'évacuation d'eau (4.h ; 4), pour s'écouler à travers un filtre à eau (11), une conduite de drainage (6), une pompe de drainage (7) et, enfin, un conduit de drainage en forme de U (6.1)
et dans lequel :

des moyens pour acheminer et filtrer l'air de séchage sont fournis, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens comprennent :

- un manchon d'évacuation d'air (4.a ; 4) à partir du fond (3.3) de la cuve (3),

- des parois de guidage (15.a) pour guider l'air vers un filtre à air (12),

- ledit conduit (14) qui remonte sans contre-pente et il est placé au-dessus dudit filtre à air (12),

- ladite unité d'aspiration (8.3) ;

et en ce que

- ledit manchon d'évacuation d'air (4.a ; 4) et le filtre à air (12) sont disposés à une hauteur supérieure par rapport à celle de l'eau (16), qui stagne dans la conduite de drainage (6), dans une position telle à laisser subsister au moins partiellement libre l'écoulement d'air de séchage le long dudit même manchon d'évacuation d'air (4.a ; 4) et le filtre à air (12)

- considérant que ledit niveau (16) de ladite eau stagnante a une telle hauteur pouvant former un bouchon hydraulique entre ladite unité d'aspiration (8.3) et un tuyau de drainage en forme de U (6.1).

2. Machine à laver séchant (1) selon la revendication précédente,
caractérisée par le fait que
il y a encore des moyens de convoyage prévus (14, 15.h, 15) pour l'eau qui peut être générée et / ou libérée dans ladite conduite d'aspiration (14) à partir de l'air de séchage qui passe à travers elle, comprenant

- le même conduit d'aspiration (14),

- lesdites parois de guidage (15.a) pour guider l'air vers un filtre à air (12),

- d'autres parois de guidage (15.h, 15) qui guident le lavage et le rinçage de l'eau à travers ledit filtre à eau (11) vers la conduite de drainage (6).

3. Machine à laver séchant (1) selon la revendication précédente,
caractérisée par le fait que
ledit filtre à air (12) est disposé en correspondance avec la paroi avant (1.1) de la machine à laver séchant en position telle qu'il soit accessible à l'utilisateur pour les opérations d'entretien de routine.

4. Machine à laver séchant (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes
caractérisée par le fait que
ledit filtre à eau (11) est immergé au moins en partie au-dessous dudit niveau (16) de l'eau stagnante dans ladite conduite de drainage (6), l'air de séchage étant guidé par
lesdites parois (15.a) vers ledit filtre à air (12) afin de clapoter la surface de l'eau stagnante au niveau dudit niveau (16).

5. Machine à laver séchant (1) selon la revendication précédente,
caractérisée par le fait que
la surface de l'eau stagnante dans la conduite de drainage (6) au niveau dudit niveau (16) a une superficie d'au moins 16 cm².

6. Machine à laver séchant (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes
caractérisée par le fait que
ledit filtre à air (12), dans des conditions de fonctionnement, est disposé de manière que son plus grand axe est allongé en horizontal.

7. Machine à laver séchant (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes
caractérisée par le fait que
ledit filtre à air (12) est muni du même type de filet utilisé dans les traditionnels filtres à eau (5).

8. Machine à laver séchant (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes
caractérisée par le fait que
lesdits manchons de décharge d'eau (4.h) et d'air (4.a) sont constitués d'un manchon de décharge unique (4).

9. Machine à laver séchant (1) selon la revendication précédente,
caractérisée par le fait que
lesdits filtres à air (12) et à eau (11), sont disposés dans une seule cartouche (18) amovible par l'utilisateur pour l'entretien de routine.

10. Machine à laver séchant (1) selon la revendication précédente,
caractérisée par le fait que
lesdits filtres à air (12) et à eau (11) sont des parties d'un seul filtre (11/12) dans la pièce tournante des parois cylindriques de ladite cartouche (18).

11. Machine à laver séchant selon la revendication 9 ou la revendication 10 caractérisée par le fait que
ladite cartouche (18), en conditions de fonctionnement

- a un axe essentiellement horizontal

- a ledit filtre à air (12) au-dessus dudit filtre à eau (11)

- considérant que ledit filtre à eau (11) est au moins partiellement immergé en dessous dudit niveau de l'eau stagnante (16) de sorte que l'air de séchage peut librement recouvrir ledit niveau d'eau (16).

12. Machine à laver séchant (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes
caractérisée par le fait que
des moyens de condensation de l'humidité (17) pour l'air de séchage sont disposés le long dudit conduit d'aspiration (14).

13. Méthode pour la condensation de l'humidité présente dans l'air de séchage dans une machine à laver séchant (1) selon la revendication 4 ou la revendication 11,
caractérisée par le fait que
qu'elle comprend l'étape consistant à avoir ledit clapotis de l'air de la surface de l'eau froide stagnante au niveau dudit niveau (16), ladite étape étant éventuellement suivie par d'autres procédés de condensation.

Drawing