CN106968079A - Laundry apparatus with chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a washing-drying machine comprising a tub, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, a process air circuit comprising a fan and a heater adapted to circulate process air through the drum to dry laundry, and a A cooling water circuit in contact with the air circuit, a pump, a condenser and a control unit, wherein the cooling water circuit is in heat exchange contact with at least one cooling device adapted to cool the cooling water, wherein the washer-dryer comprises a slave heat exchanger , two cooling devices selected from the group consisting of a cooling air fan and a tap water supply device and a first temperature sensor located in the cooling water circuit for measuring the temperature _T of the cooling water, the maximum threshold value of the cooling water in the cooling water circuit T _W,max is stored in a control unit adapted to: operate the pump and/or said two cooling devices until the temperature T _W of the cooling water falls below T _W,max . The invention is also directed to a method for operating said washer-dryer.

Description

Washer-dryer with cooling water circuit

technical field

The invention relates to a washing-drying machine for washing and drying laundry, comprising a tub, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, process air adapted to circulate process air through the drum for drying the laundry circuit, a cooling water circuit in contact with a process air circuit including a fan and a heater, a pump, a condenser and a control unit. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for operating said washer-dryer.

Background technique

In recent years, washing-drying machines, ie, drum-type washing machines with a drying function, are very convenient and compact household appliances since they include washing and drying functions, and thus they have become popular among consumers. Furthermore, commercially available washing-drying machines have been provided with a water supply path so that water can be used not only for washing laundry but also for other processing steps. In the washer-dryer, the process air is circulated with the help of a fan and heated by an air heater. The heated air enters the tub and the drum, where the heated air picks up moisture contained in the laundry. To conduct the air in a closed circuit, washer-dryers are used almost exclusively as condensation dryers. The hot and humid air leaving the drum is carried away and the moisture is condensed in a so-called condenser where heat is removed from the process air via cooling. Condensed water is generally collected and drained in the same manner as wash liquor.

Commercially available washer-dryers typically utilize fresh tap water as the refrigerant in order to cool the hot and humid process air. Due to the condensation of moisture, the process air is dried and reintroduced into the drum. One problem associated with such commercially available washer-dryers is that a large amount of fresh tap water is consumed during each drying program. That is, when the fresh tap water passes through the condenser, the fresh tap water is heated. The hot water can no longer be used for cooling purposes and is therefore discarded. Therefore, there is a need for a washer-dryer that provides a more eco-friendly drying.

Washer-dryers utilizing tap water are known.

EP 2749682 A1 discloses a washer-dryer comprising a chamber for receiving items to be washed and dried, a reservoir adapted to contain a fluid, a washer heat pump comprising a refrigerant. The washer heat pump of the washer-dryer is adapted to: cool the refrigerant during the washing phase, heat the water to be used in the chamber, heat the refrigerant and cool the fluid contained in the reservoir. The washer-dryer further comprises an air cooling/dehumidification element adapted to cool/dehumidify the process air downstream of the chamber during the drying phase of the washer-dryer. The reservoir or a heat exchanger thermally connected to the reservoir is arranged downstream of the chamber and upstream of the air cooling/dehumidifying element in order to pre-cool/pre-dehumidify the process air which Cooled/pre-dehumidified process air exits the chamber before being introduced into the air cooling/dehumidifying element.

EP 2216436 A1 discloses a washing-drying machine comprising a washing tub, a reservoir for storing used water, a drying air line arranged in the washing outside the tub, and the opposite end of the drying air line is connected to the washing tub for use in the drying process, the air blowing/heating device is provided in the drying air line for use in the drying process The dry cycle draws air out of the washing tub through one of the opposite ends of the drying air line, heats the drawn air and sends the heated air back into the washing tub through the other end of the drying air line. The washer-dryer also includes a reservoir water circulation channel including a supply channel having opposite ends and a recovery channel having opposite ends, one of the ends of the supply channel being connected to the storage One of the ends of the recovery channel is connected to a second position of the drying air line or the washing tub, and the other is connected to the reservoir. A pump is provided in the reservoir water flow channel for pumping water from the reservoir through the supply channel for supplying water from said first location into the drying air line and for passing water through the drying An air line is dropped to send water from said second location or wash tub back to the reservoir through the recovery channel to circulate the water. The washer-dryer also includes a control device that controls the pump to circulate a small amount of water through the reservoir water circulation channel during the first half of the drying program and to circulate the water in the second half of the drying program. to circulate more water through the reservoir water flow channels.

Publication US 2013/008049 A1 discloses a drying device based on a heat pump, the drying device includes: a housing and a heat pump, the housing receives a drum, and the drum is used to accommodate Article, the air flows along a path between an outlet and an inlet of the housing, a fluid is provided in the path to at least partially remove moisture from the air, the heat pump includes: disposed at least in part in the path A heat source within, a heat sink operatively adapted to accommodate said heat source, and an enclosure at least partially containing the heat sink and arranged to receive fluid from said path for exchanging heat with the heat sink and allowing the fluid Return to said path. As shown in FIG. 1 , hot humid air from the drying chamber enters a process air channel where the air is in contact with water sprayed from spray nozzles to cool the hot humid air.

Publication EP 1291597 A1 discloses a drying device comprising a drying air circulation circuit comprising: an air intake duct including means for heating the air; a drying housing in which the object to be dried Placed in the drying housing; an outlet duct in which a condenser cooled by a heat transfer fluid is arranged; a circuit for the circulation of the heat transfer fluid, which successively includes a condenser and a suitable A container for storing heated heat transfer fluid at the discharge from the condenser. Furthermore, a further heat exchanger is arranged in the air circulation circuit upstream of the drying housing.

Publication JP 2011194035 A relates to a washing and drying machine in which, in a drying operation, an increase in a load of a compressor is suppressed by reducing a dehumidification load of an evaporator. Thereby, when the dehumidification load increases during the second half of the drying operation, the capability of the heat pump unit is maintained, and the heat pump unit is compact. In particular, a circulation air circuit is formed comprising a circulation air channel comprising an air supply duct, a discharge duct and a heat exchange duct. A heat-absorbing heat exchanger with heat exchange tubes is provided in the discharge pipe on the upstream side of the evaporator. Cooling water is supplied to the heat-absorbing heat exchanger in order to cool the circulating air in the discharge duct.

Publication GB 1247788 A discloses a device for drying and washing comprising a drying chamber, a condensing space communicating with said chamber, spray nozzles for introducing water into the condensing space, a cooler and a recirculation pump, The drying chamber comprises a heater, the recirculation pump is arranged to enable the water collected in the condensation space to pass through the cooler to the spray nozzles, the chamber and the condensation space being substantially sealed with respect to the outside. Accordingly, the water introduced into the condensation space circulates. As can be seen in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the water collected in the condensation space is pumped through a vertical pipe by means of a recirculation pump and finally to the spray nozzles from which the water is sprayed on the On steam in the condensing space. The heat exchange tubes are in contact with air sucked in from the outside by means of a suction fan.

Publication US 2005/0223755 A1 discloses a drying device for a washing machine, said drying device comprising: a duct whose opposite ends are connected to the tub of the washing machine so that the air in the tub passes through the duct and is supplied to the tub again; a fan located in the duct for sucking air from the tub and discharging air into the tub; a water supply device connected to the duct for supplying cooling water to the duct In order to condense the moisture in the air passing through the pipe; the heater located in the pipe is used to heat the air passing through the pipe; supplied to the pipeline. The cooling water circulation device preferably further includes a plurality of fins protruding from the outer peripheral surface for dissipating heat from the cooling water, and the cooling water circulation device preferably further includes a cooling fan for blowing heat to the outside of the circulation tube. Air is blown on the circumferential surface for cooling the cooling water. The drying device preferably further includes a temperature sensor located at the bottom of the tub for measuring the temperature of the cooling water, and preferably circulates or discharges the cooling water according to the measurement result of the temperature sensor.

Contents of the invention

Against this background, it is an essential object of the present invention to provide a washer-dryer with improved process air cooling and a method for operating said washer-dryer, said washer-dryer Ability to reduce tap water consumption.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a washer-dryer and a method for operating a washer-dryer having the features of the respective independent claims. Preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention are specified in the corresponding dependent claims. Preferred and optional embodiments of the washer-dryer correspond to preferred and optional embodiments of the method, even if not specifically mentioned here.

The present invention thus relates to a washing-drying machine comprising a tub, a drum rotatably mounted inside the tub, a treatment air circuit adapted to circulate treatment air through the drum for drying laundry, a treatment air circuit associated with A contacting cooling water circuit, a pump, a condenser and a control unit, the process air circuit including a fan and a heater, whereby the cooling water circuit is in heat exchange contact with at least one cooling device adapted to cool the cooling water , wherein the washing-drying machine comprises two cooling devices and a first temperature sensor for measuring the temperature T _W of the cooling water in the cooling water circuit, the cooling device is supplied from a heat exchanger, a cooling air fan and tap water Selected from the group consisting of devices, the maximum threshold value T _W,max of the cooling water in the cooling water circuit is stored in a control unit adapted to: operate the pump and/or the two cooling devices until the temperature of the cooling water T _W decreases below T _W,max .

In washer-dryers, condensers are commonly used to cool and dehumidify the hot and humid process air during the drying process. Consequently, a condenser is usually arranged in the process air circuit downstream of the tub, the process air reaching the condenser already carrying moisture from the laundry to be dried. In order for the hot and dry process air to circulate back into the drum, the moisture must first be removed. In condensers, this is usually achieved by applying a refrigerant to cause condensation, which is thus triggered by direct or indirect heat exchange contact of the refrigerant with process air. In the present invention, the refrigerant is an aqueous liquid, especially water. As heat is removed from the process air, the cooling water is heated. In order to ensure a good and sufficient cooling performance, the cooling water itself must be cooled before being circulated again into the condenser. The cooling of the cooling water can in principle be achieved by simple heat exchange with the environment via natural convection, conduction or radiation (natural cooling). However, in the present invention, a cooling device is used. The type of cooling thus achievable can also be referred to as "active cooling", as opposed to "natural cooling".

The cooling water circuit thus comprises at least two cooling devices. Said at least two cooling devices located in the cooling water circuit are selected from the group consisting of heat exchangers, cooling air fans and mains water supply devices. The heat exchanger is preferably an air-to-air heat exchanger. In this case the cooling air can also be circulated in the heat exchanger with the aid of a cooling air fan.

In a preferred embodiment, the cooling water circuit comprises a heat exchanger. Strictly speaking, the type of heat exchanger used is not limited as long as the heat exchanger is used to cool the cooling water located in the cooling water circuit. However, the heat exchanger is preferably an air/water heat exchanger, wherein the cooling air is provided by a cooling air fan. The control unit is adapted to control the cooling air fan. Preferably, during the drying program the specific point, duration and speed at which the cooling air fan is operated is stored in the control unit.

As the cooling water passes through the air/water heat exchanger, the cooling air flow contacts the cooling water circuit, thereby removing heat from the cooling water. Preferably, the air/water heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the condenser outlet in the cooling water circuit. More preferably, the heat exchanger is also arranged close to the outer wall of the washer-dryer housing. In this way, natural cooling can additionally be performed. Even more preferably, the cooling water circuit may comprise two or more heat exchangers.

In another preferred embodiment, the cooling water circuit comprises a mains water supply. One way of realizing the mains water supply may be to connect the cooling water circuit to the mains water supply via a valve operable by the control unit. Preferably, in order to cool the cooling water located in the cooling water circuit, the control unit is adapted to mix fresh tap water into the cooling water via a corresponding water supply channel. More preferably, the specific point and duration of mixing fresh water into the cooling water during drying can be stored in the control unit. For this purpose, the cooling water circuit can additionally be connected to a drain in order to prevent overflow.

The washer-dryer comprises two cooling devices, preferably heat exchangers, and a mains water supply. If the amount of cooling provided by one cooling device is insufficient to reduce the temperature of the cooling water below the threshold value T _W,max , the control unit is adapted to additionally operate the second cooling device.

In a preferred embodiment of the washer-dryer, the cooling water circuit comprises a reservoir. The term “reservoir” here means in particular a container with a larger internal cross-section than the cross-section of the tubes normally used in cooling water circuits. Preferably, the section in the reservoir used is at least five times larger than the section of any pipe used in the cooling air circuit. The reservoir serves the purpose of increasing the cooling water volume in the cooling water circuit and thereby slowing down the temperature rise of the cooling water in the event of insufficient cooling. The size of the reservoir is not limited in the present invention. Accordingly, the reservoir can be small, eg even only a part of the cooling water circuit enlarged in its diameter. Reservoirs can also be of medium or large size. However, the size of the reservoir is generally dictated by the design and desired technical capabilities of the washer-dryer. If the reservoir is arranged close to the outer wall of the housing of the washer-dryer, natural cooling of the water inside the washer-dryer can take place. This heat exchange can increase the time required for the cooling water to be heated during the drying process and thus serve to enhance the cooling efficiency of the cooling water circuit.

If a reservoir is used, the reservoir preferably includes cooling fins on the outer surface of the reservoir. In this way, the heat exchange with the environment is improved so that the cooling water located in the cooling water circuit can be cooled more effectively. Preferably, the fins are provided on a portion of the surface closest to the outer wall of the washer-dryer housing. Fins are often used to increase the efficiency of natural convection cooling by providing a larger surface area and by directing the flow direction of the air. Thus, by providing cooling fins, the amount of natural cooling of the water in the reservoir can be increased even further.

If a reservoir is used, the circulation of the cooling water can be driven or at least assisted by natural convection, where cold water generally has a higher density than warmer water. In such embodiments, warmed cooling water is generally introduced into the upper portion of the reservoir. The more cooled the cooling water is, the more it flows down the direction of the condenser. This process can be assisted by suitable internal structures in the reservoir. That is, the reservoir may include multiple flat parts on the inside. These flat parts may be fixed to the walls of the reservoir, forming horizontal strata along which the cooling water is forced to flow. In a preferred embodiment of the washer-dryer, the reservoir thus comprises an inlet for warming cooling water at the top, so that natural convection cooling can drive or assist the circulation of cooling water from the inlet of the reservoir in the direction of flow.

Even more preferably, the cooling device is arranged at the cooling water inlet of the reservoir, ie at a location where the temperature of the cooling water is usually highest. In any event, in this embodiment the cooling water circuit may be operable without operating a pump therein. At least the power consumption of the pump can be reduced.

In a preferred embodiment, the washing-drying machine comprises a washing liquid recirculation system, the pump is connected to the cooling water circuit and the washing liquid recirculation system, so that the pump can be operated by the control unit in order to make the water flow in the cooling water circuit or The washing liquid circulates in the recirculation system. For this purpose, suitable three-way valves can be arranged in the recirculation system.

The control unit can additionally be adapted to operate the pump and fill the cooling water circuit with washing liquid, or more suitably with rinsing liquid from the last rinsing step, before the drying program starts. Accordingly, a rinse liquid, which is typically water with only a small amount of detergent, can be used as cooling water in this embodiment. In this way, the water used for washing and/or rinsing the laundry can be reused. This can even further reduce the overall water consumption of the washer-dryer.

In another preferred embodiment, the cooling water circuit further includes a water supply valve, which can connect the cooling water circuit and the tap water supply device, and the water supply valve is controlled by the control unit. This embodiment is especially useful if, despite the use of other cooling means, the temperature of the cooling water becomes too high for the use of other cooling means to be insufficient.

In order to be able to operate the washer-dryer more efficiently, the washer-dryer comprises a first temperature sensor in the cooling water circuit for measuring the temperature T _W of the cooling water. Preferably, the relationship between the temperature _T of the cooling water and the flow rate of the pump and/or the cooling capacity of the cooling device is in this case stored in a control unit adapted to: based on this relationship, control The flow rate of the pump and/or the cooling capacity of the cooling unit. More preferably, the optional first temperature sensor is arranged at the cooling water inlet of the condenser, but other locations are also possible.

The maximum threshold value T _W,max of cooling water in the cooling water circuit is stored in a control unit adapted to: operate the pump and/or said at least one cooling device, usually by increasing the power of the pump and cooling device, Until the temperature T _W of the cooling water drops below T _W,max . The type of temperature sensor used is not limited. However, the first temperature sensor is more preferably an NTC temperature sensor.

In another preferred embodiment, the washer-dryer comprises a second temperature sensor in the process air circuit for measuring the temperature T _P of the process air, the control unit being adapted to: when the temperature T _P reaches the set At the minimum threshold T _P,min , the pumps and/or cooling devices in the cooling water circuit are operated. The type of the temperature sensor is also not limited. However, the second temperature sensor is more preferably also an NTC temperature sensor. In general, it is not advantageous to cool the process air during the heating phase, since this prolongs this phase, and thus the entire drying procedure. Preferably, the minimum threshold T _P,min is stored in the control unit. If the second temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the process air reaches the threshold T _P,min , the control unit is adapted to: for example operate a pump in the cooling water circuit in order to pump the cooling water through the cooling water circuit and the cooling is located at the condensation process air in the tank. It is also preferred that the maximum threshold T _P,max is stored in the control unit. If the second temperature sensor detects that the temperature T _P of the process air exceeds T _P,max , the control unit is adapted to: increase the pumping speed and thus the flow rate of cooling water in the cooling water circuit, and/or The at least one cooling device is operated.

In another embodiment of the washer-dryer, the cooling water circuit is a closed cooling circuit, wherein the cooling water is not in direct contact with the process air in the condenser located in the process air circuit. In this embodiment, the cooling circuit pump is preferably provided in a closed cooling water circuit. For this purpose, the washer-dryer can be provided with a second pump. However, it is also possible to use only one pump, ie the pump normally used for pumping washing liquid and rinsing liquid.

In this embodiment, the cooling water circuit preferably forms at least one coil within the condenser to serve as a condensing coil for process air flowing through the condenser. In an even more preferred embodiment, the cooling water circuit forms a plurality of condensing coils within the condenser. This increases the surface area over which the process air flows and is cooled. Thereby, the cooling of the process air can be faster and more efficient.

In an alternative embodiment, the cooling water circuit is an open cooling water circuit, wherein the cooling water is in direct contact with the process air in the condenser. It is preferred for efficient heat exchange that the open cooling water circuit comprises nozzles which are arranged in the condenser and enable direct contact of cooling water and process air in the condenser located in the process air circuit. That is, the cooling water guided through the cooling water circuit can be sprayed directly into the process air. Thus, the process air is directly exposed to the cooling water, forming droplets. This manner of contact between the process air and the cooling water circuit is referred to herein as direct contact. Preferably, at the outlet of the condenser cooling water is collected and reintroduced into the cooling water circuit. The collection container can be a separate container. But more preferably the cooling water is collected in the tub of the washer-dryer which is part of an open cooling water circuit.

The inventive washer-dryer can thus be operated in essentially two different ways, wherein the cooling water circuit is operated as a closed cooling circuit or as an open cooling circuit. However, it is also possible to combine both principles. This combination can be achieved in that a part of the pipe of the substantially open cooling water circuit is arranged in the washer-dryer such that heat exchange between this pipe and the process air circuit is possible.

According to the invention, the type of condenser used is not limited. Depending especially on the type of cooling water circuit, the condenser can be a separate component or an integrated part of the components of the washer-dryer, e.g. if the cooling water circuit is an open cooling water circuit, the condenser can be the space behind the tub , in which space the hot, moist process air is in direct contact with cooling water, preferably in which space water is sprayed via nozzles against the direction of flow of the hot, moist process air. Conversely, in a closed cooling water circuit, the condenser may be a separate unit which may be in close contact with the wall of the tub, or which may have a suitably formed surface to enable efficient heat exchange between the cooling water and the hot, humid process air through the walls of the condenser.

Typically, a drying operation includes three phases: a heating phase, a main drying phase and a cooling phase. During the heating phase, the temperature T _P of the process air generally increases continuously over time. Once the process air has reached a certain temperature according to the selected drying program, the temperature T _P of the process air is kept constant and the main drying program is reached. During the main drying program most of the moisture is removed from the laundry in the drum. The main drying phase is followed by a cooling phase. During the cooling phase, only residual moisture has to be removed from the laundry. During the cooling phase, the temperature T _P of the process air is usually lowered again until the end of the drying program.

The invention is also directed to a method for operating a washer-dryer comprising a tub, a drum rotatably mounted within the tub, adapted to circulate process air through the drum for drying a treatment air circuit for laundry, a cooling water circuit in contact with the treatment air circuit, a pump, a condenser and a control unit, said treatment air circuit comprising a fan and a heater, wherein the cooling water circuit is in heat exchange contact with at least one cooling device, The cooling device is adapted to cool the cooling water, wherein the washer-dryer comprises two cooling devices and a first temperature sensor in the cooling water circuit for measuring the temperature T _W of the cooling water, the cooling devices are derived from Selected from the group consisting of heat exchanger, cooling air fan and mains water supply, the maximum threshold T _W,max of cooling water in the cooling water circuit is stored in a control unit adapted to operate the pump and/or the two cooling the device until the temperature T _W of the cooling water falls below T _W,max , whereby the method comprises the following steps:

(b) start the drying process;

(c) pump cooling water through the cooling water circuit to cool and dehumidify the process air in the condenser; and

(d) cooling the cooling water in the cooling water circuit by the at least one cooling device.

In a preferred embodiment, the washer-dryer comprises a washer liquid recirculation system, wherein the pump is connected to the cooling water circuit and the washer liquid recirculation system. In a preferred method, in step (a) before step (b), the water in the drum from the rinsing step is transferred by a pump to the cooling water circuit. In this way, less or no additional water can be used for cooling the water circuit.

In another preferred embodiment, the washer-dryer further comprises a second temperature sensor arranged in the process air circuit. Preferably, the method further comprises the step (c) of measuring the temperature T _P of the process air in order to start pumping cooling water through the cooling water circuit when a minimum threshold value T _P,min is reached.

It is also preferred that the method further comprises the step (f) of measuring the temperature T _P of the process air in order to increase the pumping speed and/or intensify by operating the at least one cooling device when a maximum threshold T _P,max is reached Cooling of cooling water.

In another preferred embodiment, the washer-dryer further comprises a first temperature sensor arranged in the cooling water circuit. Preferably, step (d) of the method is varied by measuring the temperature T _W of the cooling water in the cooling water circuit in order to manipulate and/or by operating the at least one cooling device when a maximum threshold value T _W,max is reached Or enhance the cooling of the cooling water in the cooling water circuit until the temperature T _W drops below T _W,max .

In general, how to achieve enhanced operation of the at least one cooling device will depend on the type of cooling device applied in the cooling water circuit.

In a preferred embodiment said at least one cooling device in the cooling water circuit is an air/water heat exchanger, wherein cooling air is provided by a cooling air fan. Accordingly, an enhancement of the operation of the heat exchanger would be to increase the speed of the cooling fan.

In another preferred embodiment, said at least one cooling device in the cooling water circuit is a mains water supply, wherein the operation corresponds to mixing water from the mains water supply with cooling water in the cooling water circuit. Accordingly, enhancing the operation of the mains water supply will mean increasing the amount of water from the mains water supply to be mixed with the cooling water.

The present invention has many advantages. Compared to commercially available water-cooled washer-dryers, fresh water consumption is significantly reduced in the present invention due to the implementation of the cooling water circuit. The heated cooling water is not discarded at the outlet of the condenser. Nevertheless, efficient cooling of the process air can be achieved by using cooling devices for the cooling water circuit. These advantages can be realized in the embodiments in an easy manner. For example, if a washer-dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a water liquid recirculation system, the fresh water consumption can be even lower if at the same time part of the recirculation system can be used for cooling the water circuit. If the washing-drying machine according to a further embodiment of the present invention comprises a first temperature sensor measuring the temperature of the cooling water, the operation of said at least one cooling device can be adjusted so that the drying program can be performed with reduced total energy Consume executes efficiently. If the washing-drying machine according to a further embodiment of the invention comprises a second temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the process air, the cooling of the process air can additionally be matched to each drying stage, which enables further The drying program is rationalized in terms of drying speed, water consumption and energy consumption.

Description of drawings

The present invention will be described below by referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings. The figures show a washer-dryer according to four particular embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments are also possible.

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a washer-dryer according to a first embodiment comprising an open cooling water circuit, a washing liquid recirculation system and a mains water supply as cooling means, which can be used in the open switching operation between the cooling water circuit and the washing liquid recirculation system,

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a washer-dryer according to a second embodiment comprising an open cooling water circuit with a heat exchanger and a mains water supply as cooling means therein,

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of a washer-dryer according to a third embodiment comprising an open cooling water circuit and a heat exchanger as cooling means for the cooling water, a mains water supply and a reservoir, the reservoir being provided with cooling fins on the outer surface,

Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of a washer-dryer according to a fourth embodiment comprising a closed cooling water circuit and a heat exchanger and a mains water supply as cooling means for the cooling water.

detailed description

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a washer-dryer 1 according to a first embodiment, comprising an open cooling water circuit 11, a washing liquid recirculation system 26 and a mains water supply 16 as cooling means , the operation can be switched between the open cooling water circuit 11 and the washing liquid recirculation system 26 by means of the three-way valve 25 . The washer-dryer 1 shows a housing 2, a tub 8 and a drum 7 mounted inside the tub 8 such that the drum 7 is rotatable about a horizontal axis. Laundry to be treated (not shown in FIG. 1 ) can be placed in the drum 7 via the door 3 . The operation of the washer-dryer 1 is controlled by means of a control unit 23 .

The bucket 8 is connected to a pump 10 which enables an aqueous liquid 9 , for example lye, to be drained out of the bucket 8 . A pump 10 is connected via a three-way valve 12 to the cooling water circuit 11 and to the drain 13 so as to pump the liquid 9 from the tub 8 via the valve 12 into the cooling water circuit 11 or into the drain 13 and to the washing- Dryer 1 outside.

The tub 8 is also connected to the process air circuit 4 , which enables process air to flow into the tub 8 and through the drum 7 . A fan (process air fan) 6 is arranged in the process air circuit 4 in order to create an air flow. A heater 5 is arranged in the process air circuit 4 in order to heat the process air before it enters the barrel 8 . After passing the tub 8 and the drum 7 , the process air circuit 4 leads the process air into a condenser 17 , here the space in the process air circuit 4 after the tub 8 .

The process air leaving the drum 7 is hot and humid. In the condenser 17 condensation is triggered via cooling. In this non-limiting example, the nozzle 15 is arranged inside the condenser 17 . The nozzles 15 are part of the cooling water circuit 11 . Cooling water is pumped through a cooling water circuit 11 via a pump 10 and sprayed into a condenser 17 via nozzles 15 . In the condenser 17 , the cooling water droplets cause condensation of the moisture brought by the treatment air when it comes into contact with the laundry located in the drum 7 . The process air is thereby dehumidified and cooled. In this non-limiting example, the cooling water circuit 11 is an open circuit in which the cooling water is in direct contact with the process air within the condenser 17 .

At the outlet of the condenser 21 cooling water is collected in a bucket 8 from which it can be recirculated in the cooling water circuit via a pump 10 . In FIG. 1 , the flow direction of cooling water is indicated by dotted arrows, and the flow direction of process air is indicated by simple arrows.

The cooling water circuit 11 includes a passage to a tap water supply device 16 as a cooling device. Mains water can be mixed into the cooling water circuit 11 via a valve 14 which is controlled by the control unit 23 of the washer-dryer 1 and opened and closed as required. Preferably, the specific point and duration at which the valve 14 is opened during the drying program is stored in the control unit 23 .

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the first temperature sensor 22 is arranged in the cooling water circuit 11 and the second temperature sensor 24 is arranged in the process air circuit 4 .

In this embodiment, the control unit 23 may be caused to open the valve 14 if the temperature T _W of the cooling water exceeds a stored maximum threshold T _W,max for the cooling water. Likewise, the operation of the pump 10 and the valve 14 may be controlled by the control unit 23 in response to the temperature signal of the second temperature sensor 24 . That is, if the temperature T _T is too low, the pump 10 and valve 14 are not operated. In an embodiment, the operation of the pump 10 and valve 14 can be adjusted to suit the temperature _Tp of the process air, and thus the different stages in the drying program.

In accordance with the above description, the aqueous liquid 9 can be washing liquid (lye), rinsing water or cooling water.

The washer-dryer 1 according to the second to fourth embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is shown to some extent the same parts. Therefore, these components will not be described below. Rather, differences between these non-limiting embodiments and the first embodiment will be described in particular below.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a washer-dryer 1 according to a second embodiment, comprising an open cooling water circuit 11 with a heat exchanger 18 and mains water supply as cooling means therein. device 16.

The cooling water circuit 11 of the washer-dryer 1 in FIG. 2 additionally includes a heat exchanger 18 as a cooling device. In this non-limiting example, the heat exchanger 18 is arranged downstream of the condenser outlet 21 . The heat exchanger 18 is here an air/water heat exchanger comprising a cooling air fan (not shown here) which can be operated via the control unit 23 of the washer-dryer 1 . However, the type of heat exchanger can be different. The cooling water passing through the heat exchanger 18 is cooled by cooling air supplied by a cooling air fan. The flow rate of the cooling air determines the amount of cooling and can be controlled via the speed of the cooling air fan. Preferably, the specific point, duration and speed at which the cooling air fan is operated during the drying program is stored in the control unit 23 .

Similar to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the washer-dryer of the second embodiment comprises a first temperature sensor 22 arranged in the cooling water circuit 11 and a second temperature sensor 24 arranged in the process air circuit 4 . Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 23 can control the valve 14 , in particular open the valve 14 , if the temperature T _W of the cooling water exceeds a stored maximum threshold value T _W,max for the cooling water. Likewise, the operation of the pump 10 and the valve 14 may be controlled by the control unit in response to the temperature signal of the second temperature sensor 24 . That is, if the temperature T _P is too low, then the pump 10 and valve 14 will not work. In an embodiment, their operation can be adjusted to the temperature T _P of the process air and thus to the different stages in the drying program. Furthermore, the aqueous liquid 9 may be washing liquid (lye), rinsing water or cooling water.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a washer-dryer 1 according to a third embodiment, comprising an open cooling water circuit 11, and a heat exchanger 18 as cooling means for the cooling water , a mains water supply device 16 and a reservoir 19 provided with cooling fins 20 on its outer surface.

The cooling water circuit 11 of the washer-dryer 1 shown in FIG. 3 thus additionally comprises a reservoir 19 arranged downstream of the heat exchanger 18 . In order to enhance the natural cooling of the cooling water passing through the walls of the reservoir 19 , the reservoir 19 includes cooling fins 20 on a surface close to the outer wall of the housing 2 of the washer-dryer 1 . These cooling fins 20 serve to increase the surface area of the reservoir 19 and guide the flow direction of air on the surface of the reservoir 19, thereby enhancing the cooling effect.

The reservoir 19 serves in particular as a cooling water container in the cooling water circuit 11 , thereby increasing the overall volume of the cooling water circuit 11 . In this way, the cooling water has been naturally cooled in the reservoir 19, thereby reducing the temperature rise rate of the cooling water passing through the condenser 17. This can help to reduce the overall energy consumption of the drying process, since additional cooling means 16, 18 can be applied at a later stage.

Figure 4 shows a sectional view of a washer-dryer 1 according to a fourth embodiment, said cooling water circuit 11 comprising a closed cooling water circuit 28 and a heat exchanger 18 as cooling means for cooling water and mains water Supply device 16.

In the fourth embodiment, the cooling water is not in direct contact with the process air in the process air circuit 4 . Correspondingly, cooling water is not collected in the condenser outlet 21 and is not circulated by the first pump 10 . Instead, the cooling water circuit pump 27 is arranged as a second pump in the cooling water circuit 28 .

In Fig. 4, the recirculation system 26 for the washing liquid is only partially shown. In particular it is shown here that the mains water supply 16 can be connected to a recirculation system 26 and a closed cooling water circuit 28 . Accordingly, FIG. 4 shows how mains water can be introduced into the tub 8 .

List of reference signs

1 washer-dryer

2 housing

3 doors

4 Process air circuit

5 heaters

6 fans

7 rollers

8 barrels

9 Aqueous liquid; e.g. washing liquid or cooling water

10 pumps, first pump

11 Open cooling water circuit (dashed arrow indicates flow direction)

12 Valves in the discharge

13 Drain (for washing liquid, condensate)

14 Valve for water supply

15 nozzles

16 Tap water supply device

17 condenser

18 Heat exchanger in the cooling water circuit

19 storage

20 heat sink

21 Condenser outlet

22 Cooling circuit temperature sensor; first temperature sensor

23 control unit

24 Process air circuit temperature sensor; second temperature sensor

25 Three-way valve (for switching between recirculation circuit and cooling water circuit)

26 (washing liquid, water liquid) recirculation circuit

27 Pump in cooling water circuit, second pump, cooling circuit pump

28 Closed cooling water circuit

Claims (13)

1. a kind of washer-dryer (1), it includes bucket (8), the roller (7) that is installed in rotation in bucket (8), suitable for making place Reason air circulation is in contact by roller (7) for the processing air loop (4) of drying clothing, with processing air loop (4) Chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11,28), pump (10), condenser (17) and control unit (23), it is described processing air loop (4) include wind Fan (6) and heater (5), it is characterised in that chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11,28) and at least one cooling device (16,18) heat exchange Contact, the cooling device (16,18) is suitable to make cooling water cooling, wherein, washer-dryer (1) includes two cooling devices (16,18) and being used in chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11,28) measure the temperature T of cooling water_WThe first temperature sensor (22), The cooling device (16,18) from heat exchanger (18), cooling air fan and originally water feeder (16) composition group in Selection, the max-thresholds T for the cooling water in chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11,28)_W,maxIt is stored in control unit (23), wherein, Control unit (23) is suitable to：Pump operation (10,27) and/or described two cooling devices (16,18), until the temperature T of cooling water_W Decrease below T_W,max。

2. washer-dryer (1) as claimed in claim 1, it is characterised in that chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11,28) include reservoir (19)。

3. washer-dryer (1) as claimed in claim 2, it is characterised in that reservoir (19) includes being located at the reservoir Outer surface on fin (20).

4. washer-dryer (1) as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, it is characterised in that reservoir (19) include at top into Mouthful, for the cooling water of heating so that free convection cooling can drive or supplement heat rejecter water is from the entrances of reservoir (19) Streamwise circulates.

5. the washer-dryer (1) as any one of preceding claims, it is characterised in that the washer-dryer (1) cleaning solution recirculating system (26) is included, pump (10) is connected to chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11) and cleaning solution recirculating system (26), So that pump (10) can controlled unit operation, to cause aqueous in chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11) or cleaning solution recirculating system (26) Middle circulation.

6. washer-dryer (1) as claimed in claim 2, it is characterised in that chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11,28) also include supplying water Valve (14), the feed water valve (14) can connect chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11,28) and originally water feeder (16), and the confession Water valve (14) is controlled by control unit (23).

7. washer-dryer (1) as claimed in claim 1, it is characterised in that the temperature T of cooling water_WWith the stream of pump (10,27) Relation between rate and/or the cooling capacity of cooling device (16,18) is stored in control unit (23), and control unit (23) it is adjusted to be suitable to：Based on the relation, the flow rate of controlling pump (10,27) and/or the cooling capacity of cooling device (16,18).

8. the washer-dryer (1) as any one of preceding claims, it is characterised in that washer-dryer (1) is wrapped The second temperature sensor (24) being arranged in processing air loop (4) is included, so as to the temperature T of measurement processing air_P, control list First (23) are adjusted to be suitable in temperature T_PReach the minimum threshold T of setting_P,minWhen, the pump in operation chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11,28) (10,27) and/or cooling device (16,18).

9. the washer-dryer (1) as any one of preceding claims, it is characterised in that chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11,28) The cooling circuit (28) of closing, wherein, cooling water not with the processing in the condenser (17) in processing air loop (4) Air is directly contacted.

10. washer-dryer (1) as claimed in claim 9, it is characterised in that cooling circuit pump (27) is located at the cold of closing But in water loop (28).

11. the washer-dryer (1) as any one of claim 1-8, it is characterised in that chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11) are Open chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (18), wherein, chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11) include nozzle (15), and the arrangement of nozzles is in condenser (17) It is interior, and the nozzle causes between cooling water and processing air in the condenser (17) in processing air loop (4) Can directly it be contacted.

12. one kind is used for the method for operated wash-dryer (1), the washer-dryer includes bucket (8), is rotatably mounted Roller (7) in bucket (8), suitable for making processing air circulation by roller (7) for drying the processing air loop of clothing (4), chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11,28), pump (10,27), condenser (17) and the control unit being in contact with processing air loop (4) (23), the processing air loop (4) includes fan (6) and heater (5), wherein, chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11,28) and at least one Individual cooling device (16,18) heat exchange contact, the cooling device (16,18) is suitable to make cooling water cooling, wherein, it is described to wash Wash-dryer (1) includes two cooling devices (16,18) and being used in chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11,28) measures cooling water Temperature T_WThe first temperature sensor (22), the cooling device (16,18) from heat exchanger (18), cooling air fan and Originally selected in the group of water feeder (16) composition, the max-thresholds for the cooling water in chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11,28) T_W,maxIt is stored in control unit (23), wherein, control unit (23) is suitable to pump operation (10,27) and/or described two coolings Device (16,18) is until the temperature T of cooling water_WDecrease below T_W,max, it is characterised in that methods described comprises the steps：

(b) drying procedure is started；

(c) by cooling water pumping by chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11,28), to make the processing air cooling being located in condenser (17) And dehumidifying；And

(d) the cooling water cooling in chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11) is made by least one cooling device (16,18).

13. method as claimed in claim 12, it is characterised in that the step of before step (b) in (a), in roller (7) Aqueous from rinse step is transferred in chilled(cooling) water return (CWR) (11) by pump (10).