A LAUNDRY DRYER COMPRISING A SPRAYING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a laundry dryer comprising a spraying device.

[0002] In closed cycle laundry dryers widely used nowadays, the drying process is realized with the interaction between the cooling air and the processing air(PA) that do not directly contact each other. The process air(PA) is heated by a heater and directed into the drum, which dehumidifies the laundry by contacting the damp laundry and is transferred to a condenser to be dehumidified. Meanwhile, the cooling air is sent onto the condenser by means of a fan and thus, the moisture in the processing air(PA) is provided to be condensed by the condenser being cooled. After being dehumidified on the condenser, the processing air(PA) is heated by the heater and sent to the drum by being included again into the drying cycle with low relative humidity rate and at high temperature. In dryers, the heated air is directed into the drum containing the laundry to be dried and is sucked to be redirected into the heating cycle. During this cycle in the air circulation duct, particles such as fiber, lint etc. accumulate in the air circulation duct and cause the air circulation duct to be clogged. For this reason, spraying devices are placed on the air circulation duct. The spraying device sprays water onto the particles, such as fiber, lint etc. accumulating in the air circulation duct and provides the removal of these particles from the air circulation duct. However, the particles accumulating in the air circulation duct may clog the outlet of the spraying device and prevent the spraying device from operating effectively.

[0003] In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP2072660, a spraying device is described, providing the cleaning of the filter situated in the laundry dryer.

[0004] European Patent Application EP 2 386 679 A1 discloses a clothes dryer with a dehumidification unit disposed in an air channel to condense moisture, with a filter to filter lint from the air, and with a cleaning nozzle to spray water to the filter to remove lint from it. The cleaning nozzle is attached to the end of a hose.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a laundry dryer, the drying effectiveness of which is increased.

[0006] The laundry dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises a body, a cylindrical drum wherein the laundry to be dried is placed, an air circulation duct enabling the processing air(PA) to be sent onto the laundry in the drum, and a spraying device situated in the air circulation duct, spraying water onto particles such as fiber, lint etc. accumulating(PA) in the air circulation duct and thus providing the cleaning of these particles.

[0007] The laundry dryer of the present invention furthermore comprises the spraying device that is detachably placed to the air circulation duct.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer comprises a filter that is situated in the air circulation duct, that can be moved together with the spraying device and that retains the particles such as fiber, lint etc. in the processing air(PA) blown onto the laundry. In the course of time the particles such as fiber, lint etc. in the processing air(PA) accumulate on the filter that is situated in the air circulation duct. The user detaches and cleans the filter in the laundry dryer, and then replaces the filter to the air circulation duct. By means of the spraying device moving together with the filter, the user can clean the spraying device as well while cleaning the filter.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger can be moved together with the spraying device as a single piece. In the course of time the particles such as fiber, lint etc. in the processing air(PA) accumulate on the heat exchanger that is situated in the air circulation duct. The user detaches and cleans the heat exchanger in the laundry dryer, and then replaces the heat exchanger to the air circulation duct. By means of the spraying device moving together with the heat exchanger, the user can clean the spraying device as well while cleaning the heat exchanger. The laundry dryer comprises a heat exchanger such as condenser, evaporator, etc. that enables the temperature of the processing air(PA) blown onto the laundry to be changed. Preferably situated in front of, above or behind the heat exchanger, the spraying device moves together with the heat exchanger.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer comprises a cover situated on the body and providing access to the spraying device. The user can easily access the spraying device by means of the cover that can be opened by being rotated and/or pulled.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer comprises a locking mechanism that enables the spraying device to be detachably mounted into the air circulation duct. The locking mechanism preferably has a claw-shaped structure that can be seated into the housing by being slid or has a structure that can be mounted onto a tooth rack. Thus, the spraying device can be easily attached/detached.

[0012] In the laundry dryer of the present invention, hygienic utilization conditions and energy efficiency are improved by using the spraying device efficiently.

[0013] The laundry dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a laundry dryer.

Figure 2 - is the schematic view of the laundry dryer while the spraying device is being taken out of the laundry dryer in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Laundry dryer

2. Body

3. Drum

4. Air circulation duct

5. Filter

6. Heat exchanger

7. Spraying device

8. Cover

9. Locking mechanism

[0015] The laundry dryer (1) comprises a body (2), a drum (3) wherein laundry to be dried is placed, an air circulation duct (4) providing the processing air (PA) to be sent onto the laundry in the drum (3), at least one filter (5) situated in the air circulation duct (4) and that holds the particles like fiber, lint etc. in the processing air (PA) blown onto the laundry, a heat exchanger (6) situated in the air circulation duct (4) and enabling the temperature of the processing air (PA) blown onto the laundry to be changed, and a spraying device (7) situated in the air circulation duct (4), spraying water onto particles such as fiber, lint etc. accumulating in the air circulation duct (4) and thus providing the cleaning of these particles.

[0016] The laundry dryer (1) of the present invention furthermore comprises the spraying device (7) that is detachably placed to the air circulation duct (4).

[0017] During the operation of the laundry dryer (1), fiber, lint and hair coming off the laundry accumulate in the processing air (PA) that circulates in the air circulation duct (4) situated in the body (2) in the course of time. The spraying device (7) sprays water onto these particles accumulating in the air circulation duct (4) and provides the removal of these particles from the air circulation duct (4). The water condensing in the processing air (PA) condensed by the heat exchanger (6) is delivered to a receptacle located in the vicinity of the heat exchanger (6). The water collected in the tank is transferred to the spraying device (7) by means of a transfer means. The spraying device (7) sprays water onto components such as the heat exchanger (6), the filter (5) and thus cleans these components. In the case the particles such as fiber, lint, etc. are densely present in the processing air (PA), these particles may stick to the spraying device (7) and clog the spraying device (7). The user should check and/or clean the said spraying device (7) at certain intervals. Thus, the spraying device (7) can be easily accessed by the user and can be easily attached/detached. By means of the spraying device (7) that is detachably mounted to the air circulation duct (4), the user can easily detach and clean spraying device (7) and mount it again to the air circulation duct (4).

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the spraying device (7) can be moved together with the filter (5). In the course of time the particles such as fiber, lint etc. in the processing air (PA) accumulate on the filter (5) that is situated in the air circulation duct (4). The user detaches and cleans the filter (5) in the laundry dryer (1), and then replaces the filter (5) to the air circulation duct (4). By means of the spraying device (7) moving together with the filter (5), the user can clean the spraying device (7) as well while cleaning the filter (5).

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger (6) can be moved together with the spraying device (7). In the course of time the particles such as lint, fluff, etc. in the processing air (PA) accumulate on the heat exchanger (6) that is situated in the air circulation duct (4). The user detaches and cleans the heat exchanger (6) in the laundry dryer (1), and then replaces the heat exchanger (6) to the air circulation duct (4). By means of the spraying device (7) moving together with the heat exchanger (6), the user can clean the spraying device (7) as well while cleaning the heat exchanger (6). The laundry dryer (1) comprises a heat exchanger (6) such as condenser, evaporator, etc. that enables the temperature of the processing air (PA) blown onto the laundry to be changed. Preferably situated in front of, above or behind the heat exchanger (6), the spraying device (7) moves together with the heat exchanger (6).

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises a cover (8) situated on the body (2) and providing access to the spraying device (7). The user can easily access the spraying device (7) by means of the cover (8) that is preferably situated on the body (2) and that can be opened by being rotated and/or pulled.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (1) comprises a locking mechanism (9) that enables the spraying device (7) to be detachably mounted into the air circulation duct (4). The locking mechanism (9) preferably has a claw-shaped structure that can be seated into the housing by being slid or has a structure that can be mounted onto a tooth rack. Thus, the spraying device (7) can be easily attached/detached.

[0022] In the laundry dryer (1) of the present invention, the spraying device (7) that sprays water onto the particles such as hair, lint, fiber, etc. in the processing air (PA) accumulating on the components in the air circulation duct (4) is used more efficiently. Thus, a more hygienic laundry dryer (1) with high energy effectiveness is realized.

Claims

1. A laundry dryer (1) comprising

- a body (2),

- a drum (3) wherein laundry to be dried is placed,

- an air circulation duct (4) providing the processing air (PA) to be sent onto the laundry in the drum (3),

- at least one filter (5) situated in the air circulation duct (4) and that holds the particles like fiber, lint etc. in the processing air (PA) blown onto the laundry,

- a heat exchanger (6) situated in the air circulation duct (4) and enabling the temperature of the processing air (PA) blown onto the laundry to be changed,

- and a spraying device (7) situated in the air circulation duct (4), spraying water onto particles such as fiber, lint etc. accumulating in the air circulation duct (4) and thus providing the cleaning of these particles, the spraying device (7) being detachably mounted to the air circulation duct (4),

characterized by the spraying device (7) that can be accessed by means of a cover (8) situated on the body (2) and providing access to the spraying device (7) such that it can be easily attached/detached.

2. A laundry dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the spraying device (7) that can be moved together with the filter (5).

3. A laundry dryer (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the spraying device (7) that can be moved together with the heat exchanger (6).

4. A laundry dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a locking mechanism (9) that enables the spraying device (7) to be detachably mounted into the air circulation duct (4).

Ansprüche

1. Wäschetrockner (1), umfassend

- einen Gehäusekörper (2),

- eine Trommel (3), in die zu trocknende Wäsche gegeben wird,

- eine Luftzirkulationsleitung (4), die dafür sorgt, dass die Prozessluft (PA) auf die Wäsche in der Trommel (3) geleitet wird,

- wenigstens einen Filter (5), der in der Luftzirkulationsleitung (4) angeordnet ist und Partikel wie Fasern, Flusen usw. in der Prozessluft (PA) aufhält, die auf die Wäsche geblasen wird,

- einen Wärmetauscher (6), der in der Luftzirkulationsleitung (4) angeordnet ist und ein Ändern der Temperatur der Prozessluft (PA) ermöglicht, die auf die Wäsche geblasen wird,

- und eine Sprühvorrichtung (7), die in der Luftzirkulationsleitung (4) angeordnet ist und Wasser auf Partikel wie Fasern, Flusen usw. sprüht, die sich in der Luftzirkulationsleitung (4) ansammeln, und so für das Entfernen dieser Partikel sorgt, wobei die Sprühvorrichtung (7) lösbar an der Luftzirkulationsleitung (4) angebracht ist,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Sprühvorrichtung (7) über eine Abdeckung (8) zugänglich ist, die an dem Gehäusekörper (2) angeordnet ist und Zugang zu der Sprühvorrichtung (7) bietet, derart, dass sie leicht angebracht/gelöst werden kann.

2. Wäschetrockner (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Sprühvorrichtung (7) zusammen mit dem Filter (5) bewegt werden kann.

3. Wäschetrockner (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Sprühvorrichtung (7) zusammen mit dem Wärmetauscher (6) bewegt werden kann.

4. Wäschetrockner (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch einen Verriegelungsmechanismus (9), der es ermöglicht, dass die Sprühvorrichtung (7) lösbar in der Luftzirkulationsleitung (4) angebracht ist.

Revendications

1. Un sèche-linge (1) comprenant :

- un corps (2),

- un tambour (3) dans lequel le linge à sécher est placé,

- un conduit de circulation d'air (4) qui permet à l'air de processus (PA) d'être envoyé sur le linge dans le tambour (3),

- au moins un filtre (5) qui est situé dans le conduit de circulation (4) et qui garde les particules comme les fibres, les peluches, etc. dans l'air de processus (PA) soufflé sur le linge,

- un échangeur à chaleur (6) qui est situé dans le conduit de circulation (4) et qui permet le changement de la température de l'air de processus (PA) soufflé sur le linge,

- et un dispositif de pulvérisation (7) qui est situé dans le conduit de circulation d'air (4), qui pulvérise de l'eau sur les particules comme les fibres, les peluches, etc. accumulant dans le conduit de circulation d'air (4) et donc qui permet le nettoyage des particules, le dispositif de pulvérisation (7) étant monté de manière détachable sur le conduit de circulation d'air (4),

caractérisé par le dispositif de pulvérisation (7) qui est peut être accédé au moyen d'un couvercle (8) qui est situé sur le corps (2) et qui donne accès au dispositif de pulvérisation (7) de manière à être facilement attaché / détaché.

2. Un sèche-linge (1) selon la Revendication 1, caractérisé par le dispositif de pulvérisation (7) qui peut être déplacé en même temps que le filtre (5).

3. Un sèche-linge (1) selon la Revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé par le dispositif de pulvérisation (7) qui peut être déplacé en même temps que l'échangeur à chaleur (6).

4. 4 - Un sèche-linge (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par un mécanisme de verrouillage (9) qui permet au dispositif de pulvérisation (7) d'être monté de manière détachable dans le conduit de circulation d'air (4).

Drawing