DE10065336A1 - Washing machine with smoothing and / or ironing function - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a washing machine, in which the washing (5) is fixed by means of supports (6), for example, coat hanger-type supports, tensioning devices or pressing forms. Once the wash cycle has been completed, the washing (5) is subjected to steam pressure via the supports (6). The washing (5) is thus smoothed and/or pressed.

Description

The invention relates to a washing machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

Washing machines are commercially available household washing machines from the state of the art Technology known. Such household washing machines have to move the laundry a washing drum into which wash liquor is washed. The one dissolved in the laundry Dirt is then removed in a flushing process.

Household washing machines can also be equipped with an integrated dryer, which usually works on the condensation or recirculation principle.

After washing and drying the laundry, it must be removed from the laundry drum can be removed and then ironed by hand. From the state of the Devices for automatic smoothing of laundry are also known in the art but are mainly only suitable for the commercial sector.

DE 29 29 057 C2 describes a device for the ready-steaming of pullovers and jackets and similar garments. This device has an inflatable, the steamed dummy modeled in the flow to be treated Connects to a blower attached to the bottom of the dummy and via delivery lines and an intermediate heating element via a Blow heated air or steam into the cavity of the steam manikin can.

DE 199 13 647 A1 describes a device for drying and / or smoothing be damp laundry, especially shirts, known. The device has one Device for aligning the laundry as well as a heater, which is a blower too is ordered. The heater has at least one heat accumulator, which z. B. select After aligning the laundry, thermal energy is stored and at the beginning and is available during the treatment process. This device is also intended for be suitable for household use.

DE 35 07 757 C2 is a commercial machine for steaming and smoothing Known clothing. For this, one of the fit, e.g. B. part of a shirt reproduced edition and a tensioning device for the edge areas of the lead piece for aligning the clothing according to the fit  tion piece provided that are adaptable to different sizes. Under the Effect of steam and / or drying air becomes the item of clothing in its own molded fit and using dimensionally stable systems, form elements and a steam-flow-through steaming bag. DE 197 30 358 A1 is a Training of the machine for steaming and smoothing known to all Laundry places should allow a smooth smoothing process.

The prior art also includes washing, drying and smoothing devices for in known industrial laundry purposes:

From US 5,502,988 an industrial cleaning device is known, the För chain for transporting the laundry through the various washing process steps having. Furthermore, US 4,412,435 is a cleaning system with continuous operation known. The cleaning system has a device for mechanical action the laundry. A corresponding system is also known from US 4,361,018.

From NL 10 05 069 C2 is an industrial hot iron for drying and ironing Known laundry, which has an endless conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is partly guided along an evaporation device.

From JP-A-10118398 is a drying, smoothing and ironing device for washed Laundry known that a tape to absorb moisture and rolls for trans port of the laundry.

An industrial washing device with a conveyor is known from JP-A-5337300, of the laundry through the various washing process steps in the system promoted by.

From US 5,439,768 a conveyor for moving laundry is known, in which the laundry to be transported is coupled to the conveyor belt by means of fastening clips.

From DE 32 16 195 A1 a lack device is known in which by means of a för derbands a pressure on the laundry against a roll is applied to a previous one perform dampening.

The invention is based on the object of a washing machine with integrated smoothing and / or to create an ironing function.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the characterizing features of Pa Claim 1 solved.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.  

The invention allows automatic smoothing and / or ironing laundry after Washing process without having to remove the laundry from the washing machine. This represents a very important job for the user - especially in the household area relief.

Before the washing process is carried out, the item of laundry to be washed is inside half of the housing of the washing machine fixed on a support over which after completion during the washing process, a hot stream of compressed air is introduced into the item of laundry, so that it is smoothed out. Alternatively or additionally, the hot air flow can also z. B. can be introduced from below into the item of laundry via additional nozzles.

Advantageously, the items to be washed and ironed on office gel-shaped carrier applied, which are then hung in the washing machine. The bow-shaped supports can be hollow inside to direct the flow of compressed air into the laundry be trained.

Alternatively or additionally, carriers for laundry items can also be placed in the washing machine be fixed or movable, so that the washing of the laundry on the appropriate carrier is done directly in the washing machine. It can be act about a steam manikin or a tensioning device.

Another fan is advantageously in the housing of the washing machine arranges so that an air flow from the outside also for smoothing the laundry item or items is applicable. The smoothing and / or stirrup is created by the appropriate counter pressure function optimized.

A controllable conveyor device is advantageously in the washing machine for example, a conveyor belt or a conveyor chain on which the carrier for the Items of laundry can be fixed. The conveyor can change the laundry items depending on the keep the machining process to be carried out stationary inside the washing machine, orbit in a constant speed or reciprocating motion have it carried out. The use of the conveyor is particularly for Carrying out the washing process is advantageous. The items to be washed are then removed using the För dervorrichtung on various nozzles arranged in the washing machine, such as Wetting the laundry, for spraying the wash liquor onto the laundry and for Feed rinse water to the laundry for removal of loosened dirt particles be introduced.  

Before the smoothing and / or ironing process is carried out, it is advantageous to next performed a pre-dehumidification. This can be done in the washing machine Integrated drying device, the z. B. ar according to the condensation or exhaust air principle prepared to be carried out.

To carry out the smoothing and / or ironing process, it is advantageous to wash the laundry by means of the conveyor in the housing to the inside of the housing attached hot air nozzles to move past, in order to get an evenly uniform irradiation to ensure the surfaces of the laundry items with air.

Advantageously, the items of laundry are initially heated with hot and moist compressed air coated. This is followed by brushing with hot and dry compressed air. benefit Afterwards, cold and dry air is added to increase the time until Shorten the safe opening of the washing machine by the user.

In a preferred embodiment, one is used along the circumference in the housing arranged pair of rollers for pre-dehumidifying the laundry. The laundry is with tels of the conveyor through the pair of rollers, so that in the Wash water present in the wash ware is at least partially pressed out.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the pre-dehumidification takes place Press the laundry against an absorbent fleece. Preferably the washing well pressed against the fleece in a region of the circulation by means of a roller, whereby it is simultaneously pulled by the conveyor.

At least in a region of the pressure point of the roll, the fleece takes water out of the Laundry so that it is pre-dehumidified.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the dehumidification of the Items to be washed by hot or cold compressed air. The pre-dehumidification can both according to the exhaust air dryer as well as the condensation dryer principle.

After the washing, drying and smoothing and / or ironing process has ended, the Laundry directly from the washing machine z. B. in a closet because the laundry is already in the use position, this can also be done by a machine.

As a result, the invention thus allows the fully automatic course of laundry care in a single household appliance.

The invention is further described with reference to the drawings based on a preferred one Embodiment described as an example. Show in the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a cross section through an inventive washing machine with Bü gel function parallel to a plane of the conveyor belt,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the washing machine with ironing function.

Fig. 1 shows a washing machine 1 having a cabinet-shaped housing 2. The housing 2 can be up to 2 m high, for example. The remaining dimensions of the washing machine 1 preferably correspond to those of conventional household washing machines.

In the housing 2 there is an endless conveyor belt 3 , which is driven, deflected and controlled via a motor of the washing machine 1 , which is not shown, via rollers or toothed wheels, likewise not shown. Alternatively, this conveyor device can also be implemented as a conveyor chain, for example.

In or on the conveyor belt 3 , a compressed air conductor, for example a cavity, is formed, which is used to conduct hot compressed air. The cavity in the conveyor belt 3 is connected to a compressor via a compressed air line, not shown. The conveyor belt 3 has recesses 4 , can engage in the bow-shaped carrier 6 NEN. Each of the bow-shaped supports 6 has a hook in which a cavity for guiding the compressed air is formed on the inside. If the bow-shaped carrier is hooked with its hook into a recess 4 of the conveyor belt 3 , this creates a flow connection between the conveyor belt 3 and the bow-shaped carrier 6 , so that the hot air conducted into the cavity of the conveyor belt 3 via the hook into the bracket-shaped carrier 6 can flow from which it emerges through distributed nozzle openings in order to apply hot compressed air to the items of laundry 5 located on the bracket-shaped carrier 6 , for example a shirt or a blouse, so to speak "inflate" them. Before carrying out the washing process, individual items of laundry are each hung on a bow-shaped carrier 6 , after which the carrier 6 is suspended in a recess 4 of the conveyor belt 3 with its hook.

On the inside of the housing 2 there are spray nozzles 7 for spraying water onto the laundry 5 . 2 furthermore cleaning nozzles 8 are arranged for spraying wash liquor onto the laundry along the conveyor belt 3 to the inside of the housing. Below the cleaning nozzles 8 there are rinsing nozzles 20 for spraying rinsing water onto the laundry item Ei, so that the loosened dirt is rinsed well 5 out of the laundry.

On the opposite inside of the housing 2 there is an area of the conveyor belt 3 with a hot air pressure blower 9 for brushing the laundry 5 with warm or hot air. Above the hot air pressure blower 9 there is an absorbent fleece 10 which is guided over rollers 11 and 12 . At least one of the rollers 11 or 12 can be driven in order to move the fleece in its parallel region un directly facing the conveyor belt 3, essentially synchronously with a circulating movement of the conveyor belt 3 .

A fan 13 is also located in the housing 2 . The fan 13 can be used to suck air or to blow off exhaust air. In the rear wall of the housing 2 there is a heat exchanger 14 , which is advantageously designed as a rinsing container. The rinse tank has on the one hand the function of storing the water for the rinsing processes and at the same time serves as a condenser for the condensation of the. Compressed air from the laundry 5 absorbed water. The be in the rinse water is preheated by heat exchange with the condensing steam. The energy consumption of the washing machine 1 can thereby be reduced.

In the lower region of the housing 2 there is a fluff filter 15 in a wash-up container 22 which serves to collect water. Under the wash liquor container 22 there is a circulation pump 16 for wetting and / or spraying the laundry 5 via the spray nozzles 7 or the cleaning nozzles 8 and a run-off pump 17 for pumping around or for pumping out wash liquor via the hose 18 .

In a front area of the housing 2 there is a heater in the form of heating spirals below and / or above a door opening in the housing 2 . The Heizspi ralen are not shown in Fig. 1.

To prepare the washing process, the laundry 5 with the bügelför shaped carriers 6 is first suspended in the conveyor belt 3 .

The detergent is added to the detergent solution container 22 via a detergent addition. This can follow via a storage and dosing container combination according to the principle of a induction bowl.

After starting the washing program, the detergent dissolves in the water bath and is led to the cleaning nozzles 8 via the circulating pump 16 at a given time.

In order to carry out a washing program, the conveyor belt 3 is set in a circumferential movement in a first step, in accordance with the direction of movement shown by the arrows 19 . The rotational speed of the conveyor belt 3 and thus of the laundry 5 transported by the conveyor belt 3 corresponds to the washing process speed required in each case.

The spray nozzles 7 wet the passing laundry 5 in order to moisten it and thus accelerate the absorption of detergent into the laundry 5 .

In a second step, the items to be washed pass the cleaning nozzles 8 , through which wash liquor is sprayed onto the items to be washed 5 . The wash liquor soaks the laundry 5 and so loosens the dirt.

In a third step, fresh water is sprayed from the rinsing nozzles 20 onto the laundry 5 passing by in order to remove the dirt and the wash liquor.

By means of sensors mounted in the housing 2 , the cleaning success of the items 5 to be cleaned can be checked or the turbidity of the washing liquor measured and, if necessary, evaluated. If the degree of cleaning is not satisfactory, the above steps can be repeated as often as necessary.

The wash liquor or rinse water drips from the damp laundry 5 into the wash liquor collection container 22 and is fed from there in a circuit to the cleaning nozzles 8 or pumped out via the drain pump 17 . In principle, it is not necessary in the washing machine 1 for the laundry 5 to be introduced into the washing liquor 23 located in the washing liquor collecting container 22 ; rather, the application of washing liquor to the laundry 5 takes place in the exemplary embodiment shown solely via the cleaning nozzles 8 .

For an improved water exchange, the laundry 5 can be brought against a system. Furthermore, the process of water exchange or water discharge can be intensified and accelerated with the help of pairs of rollers.

After the wet phase in which the laundry is washed, the dry phase follows. After switching off the fresh water supply to the rinsing nozzles 20 , dry, heated compressed air is passed to the laundry via a compressor or the fan 13 for the drying process. By an additional circulation or back and forth movement of the laundry 5 by the conveyor belt 3 , the drying time can be shortened by the associated intensive air exchange with the air in the housing 2 .

Prior to the actual drying of the laundry 5 is advantageously performed before dehumidification of the laundry. 5

In a first in the Fig. 1 embodiment not shown, to a pair of rollers traveling electronically controlled by displacement sensors on both sides against the belt with the conveyor 3 moving Wäschegut 5, so that the laundry 5 Runaway by the pair of rollers is subjected. Due to the pressure of the pair of rollers on the laundry 5 in between , water is pressed out of the laundry 5 and drips back into the washing solution container 22 . Instead of a roller pair, a roller chain may be provided so that the laundry 5 by the pair of rollers in place by both sides of the laundry 5 arranged roller chain is pulled.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the laundry 5 , as soon as it has reached the area of the fleece 10 , is pressed against the fleece 10 by means of a roller 24 . For this purpose, the roller 24 moves in the direction of the arrow 25 to press the laundry 5 against the fleece. Where the roller 24 meets the laundry 5 , a pressure is exerted on the laundry 5 against the fleece 10 , so that the water in the washing 5 is at least partially absorbed by the fleece 10 at this point. At the same time, the conveyor belt moves the laundry 5 in question along the movement seal of the arrow 19 , so that the area in which the roller 24 meets the laundry 5 also changes.

Parallel to the movement of the conveyor belt 3 and the corresponding laundry 5 , the fleece 10 guided over the rollers 11 and 12 also moves on. This has the part before that where the laundry 5 is pressed against the fleece 10 by means of the roller 24 , an even dryer and thus absorbent area of the fleece 10 is present. The water absorbed in the fleece can be pressed out, for example, via a further roller (not shown) when the fleece soaked in water returns on the side immediately facing the housing 2 .

According to a further preferred embodiment, the pre-dehumidification can be carried out by means of dry compressed air which is applied directly to the laundry. The dry air is applied evenly to the laundry using the hot air pressure blower. In addition, the laundry can be z. B. between grids, not shown in Fig. 1. The compressed air is advantageously added in a process-controlled manner in sub-steps.

The steps mentioned can be in combination or in succession - also repeated - done to achieve an optimal cleaning effect.  

After the washing process and possibly the process of pre-dehumidification and / or drying, the smoothing and / or ironing process follows. For this purpose, hot compressed air is passed through the conveyor belt 3 and the bow-shaped carrier suspended in the conveyor belt 3 into the laundry 5 fastened to the carriers, so that these are acted upon from the inside with a compressed air stream. At the same time, the items to be washed 5 are coated with hot, humid compressed air by the hot air pressure blower 9 and / or the blower 13 . In this case, the laundry 5 is brought into circulation by means of the conveyor belt 3 , so that it circulates in the housing 2 or executes a back and forth movement.

In a subsequent process step, the laundry 5 is coated with hot, dry compressed air, which completes the actual smoothing and / or ironing process. After completion of the smoothing and / or ironing process, it is advantageous to coat the laundry 5 with cold, dry air in order to cool it down. By shortening the cooling process, it is possible to open the washing machine door more quickly, thus further shortening the time required for the entire laundry care process.

Fig. 2 shows a further preferred embodiment of the washing machine according to the invention. The same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 are used for the elements of FIG. 1 corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 2.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the conveyor belt 3 is formed in two parts. Only the rear part of the conveyor belt 3 is shown in FIG. 2. Between the two parts of the conveyor belt 3 there are carriers 26 onto which items 5 can be hung. The carriers 26 are hollow on the inside for guiding compressed air. Via a compressor, hot air can be blown into the laundry 5 suspended from the carriers 26 via the carriers 26 .

Warm air pressure blowers 9 are arranged along an inside of the housing 2 . To implement the smoothing and / or ironing function, hot air is blown into the laundry 5 via the carrier 26 , so that the laundry 5 is subjected to the pressure of hot air on the inside thereof. At the same time, the items to be washed are moved past the hot air pressure blowers 9 by the movement of the conveyor belt 3 in the direction of the arrow 19 , so that the items to be washed 5 are also subjected to air pressure from the outside, so that a counter pressure arises. This results in the desired smoothing and ironing effect.

After the smoothing and ironing process is complete, the laundry 5 is in the ready-to-use position. It can be rearranged mechanically by a machine from the washing machine 1 into a wardrobe or linen cupboard.

As an alternative or in addition to the bow-shaped supports 6 and 26 , a damping manikin and / or tensioning device can also be suspended in the conveyor belt 3 , via which the compressed air is fed into the interior of the items 5 to be washed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Washing machine

2

casing

3

conveyor belt

3

4

recess

5

laundry

6

bow-shaped carrier

7

spray nozzles

8th

cleaning nozzles

9

Warm air pressure blower

10

fleece

11

role

12

role

13

fan

14

heat exchangers

15

lint

16

circulating pump

17

drain pump

18

tube

19

arrow

20

rinsing nozzles

21

Heißdampfdüse

22

Suds collection container

23

suds

24

role

25

arrow

26

carrier

Claims (17)

1. Washing machine with a housing and means for generating an air flow, characterized in that means for carrying ( 6 , 26 ) of at least one laundry item ( 5 ) and means ( 3 , 4 , 6 , 26 ) for introducing the air flow into the Laundry pieces are arranged in the housing ( 2 ). 2. Washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for Wear to direct at least a portion of the airflow into the laundry are trained. 3. Washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means are designed to be bow-shaped for carrying. 4. Washing machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the means to wear as a replica of the shape of the item of laundry to be processed Pad are formed and the pad in fluid communication with the Means for generating an air flow is available. 5. Washing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that it is in the Edition is a dummy or a tensioning device. 6. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that second means for generating a second air flow for directing the second air flow on an outside of the laundry in the housing ( 2 ) are arranged. 7. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a controllable conveyor device is arranged in the housing ( 2 ), to which one or more means for carrying can be coupled, and the conveyor device is preferably designed as a conveyor belt ( 3 ) or conveyor chain , 8. Washing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the Fördervor direction of the laundry depending on the processing to be carried out statio när stops, in a constant speed or a back and forth movement. 9. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing ( 2 ) is cabinet-shaped. 10. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means ( 7 ) for wetting the laundry are arranged in the housing ( 2 ). 11. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the housing ( 2 ) means ( 8 ) for applying wash liquor are arranged and the means for applying wash liquor at least one nozzle ( 8 ) for spraying the wash liquor onto the laundry exhibit. 12. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the housing ( 2 ) means ( 20 ) for supplying rinse water to the wash are well arranged. 13. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means ( 10 , 11 , 12 , 24 ) for pre-dehumidifying the laundry are arranged in the housing ( 2 ). 14. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized net that the washing machine has an integrated drying device. 15. A method for smoothing and / or ironing a piece of laundry in a washing machine with integrated smoothing and / or ironing function according to one of the preceding claims, with the following steps:

• a) brushing the item of laundry with hot, moist compressed air,
• b) Brushing the laundry with hot, dry compressed air.

16. The method according to claim 15 with the following further step: pre-dehumidifying the Undergarment. 17. The method according to claim 15 or 16 with the following further step: supply of cold, dry air.