EP1431442A1 - Device for drying and conditioning laundry in connection with a domestic laundry dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves drying or conditioning wash items using a domestic washer-dryer whose external air flow flows out into the surroundings of the washer-dryer via at least one opening (4) in the dryer (1) housing and that is used outside the washer-dryer to dry or condition objects arranged outside the washer-dryer, especially wash items. An air guide device (3) can be connected to the at least one opening. AN Independent claim is also included for the following: (a) an arrangement for drying wash items in combination with condensing domestic washer-dryer.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for drying or conditioning laundry items using one from a household clothes dryer escaping external air flow.

Household clothes dryers are known for their diverse publications. in principle there are the two main designs, namely the so-called exhaust air household clothes dryer and the so-called condensation household clothes dryer.

In the case of the exhaust air household clothes dryer, heated air is injected into the interior of the drum blown, which then dries the laundry. Then the heated and now moisture-enriched air - mostly in connection with an exhaust air hose - blown outside (i.e. out of the building).

Air management is organized differently for a condensation household dryer. Such a dryer has a system air circuit and a cooling air flow. The system air circuit is an endless air circuit, which is always of its own Heating is pumped through the drum to the condenser and back to heating. The system air is pumped by means of a fan. A second fan drives the Cooling air flow on. The cooling air is taken from the ambient air in the room. The system air and the cooling air are in the condenser - which is a heat exchanger - brought together. In terms of ventilation, however, both air flows are - also in the condenser - separated from each other. The system air is generated by the cooling air flow in the condenser (sometimes also called process air) cooled and gives some of the moisture from. The cooling air flow heats up in the condenser to 50 to 60 degrees Celsius. After the cooling air flow has flowed through the interior of the condensation dryer he finally leaves the housing of the dryer via so-called exhaust gills, often in the upper area of the back or in the lower area of the front are arranged.

In the above cases, the cooling air flow - or the exhaust air - the inside of the household clothes dryer (hereinafter only called the dryer for short) and are to be understood in the context of the invention as the external air flows.

The disadvantage of these technical solutions is that a large part of the thermal energy blown unused into the installation room of the dryer or outdoors. This thus unnecessarily costs energy and causes unnecessary costs.

It is therefore an object of the invention, a method and an apparatus for drying to provide clothing that at least reduces the disadvantages mentioned.

In the method according to the invention for drying or conditioning laundry items by means of a household clothes dryer, the external air flow of which in an Dryer housing formed opening (4) flows into the vicinity of the dryer, the external air flow outside the dryer housing for drying and conditioning of objects, such as in particular items of laundry or shoes or the like used. This allows the external airflow that flows through the dryer leaves, can be used for other purposes in an energetically advantageous manner.

According to one of the inventive ideas, the external one emerging from a dryer becomes Airflow is supplied to an inflatable bag of an ironing manikin by means of a flexible hose. There is then a piece of laundry, for example a sweater, on the inflatable bag. If the flexible hose is now connected to the dryer, the external flows through Airflow the air-permeable inflatable bag and then the garment. The external Airflow removes moisture from the garment, causing it to dry becomes.

If the dryer is an exhaust air household dryer, the external one Airflow already slightly enriched with moisture. This one loaded with moisture Air can also preferably be used to condition clothing, so this air for removing creases and wrinkles from clothes and also is suitable for removing odorous substances. As long as this air is not yet saturated it can still absorb moisture from the garment. There with an exhaust air household dryer but because of the high moisture content of the exhaust air, it is recommended to lead this from the inside of the building to the outside Use of an exhaust air household dryer in connection with an iron-on manikin good ventilation of the room, or placement of the manikin outdoors.

With a condensation household dryer, the external air flow only contains the absolute Humidity of the ambient air in the installation room, since the external air flow only when the process air was cooled down, it was heated without any further moisture has recorded. The external air flow of a condensation household dryer is therefore suitable better for application to drying clothes, such as especially with an iron-on manikin, because it makes a garment better dry. To avoid over-humidification of the room, a good one should also be used here Ventilation of the room or installation of the iron-on manikin take place outdoors.

In another inventive concept, the external air flow becomes a drying device passed, which is designed as an air-permeable storage surface, such as a grid is on which items of laundry can be placed. Furthermore, the air can on which a large number of items of laundry can be hung become. The external air flow is preferred by the dryer using a hose under the air-permeable shelf or the storage rack or the clothes horse directed. Preferably, a hood with a central outlet opening above the air-permeable Storage area or above the drying rack to be placed around the Distribute air more evenly.

According to the invention, an attachment is placed on the cover plate of a condensation dryer arranged with grille, which is spaced from the cover plate and which is permeable to air, is essentially horizontal and flat. Then on the essay laundry items to be dried arranged flat. The heated, from the dryer Leaked cooling air (corresponds to an external air flow) can then wash the laundry even flow around on both sides. In the context of the invention, the opening through which the warmed cooling air flow leaves the inside of the dryer, not necessarily from exhaust gills be formed. At least one would also be conceivable here, especially for this application created, opening on the surface of the dryer. Will this opening not used, it can also be made lockable.

A decisive advantage of the invention is that just delicate items of laundry - So laundry items made of wool, silk or related materials - at this type of drying can be dried very gently. The risk of matting or shrinking delicate laundry items - such as drying in the drum of a dryer is not possible here.

However, since every condensation dryer has blow-out gills, it is advantageous to if these exhaust gills are used as a source of dry air flow.

In order to achieve the most effective use of the cooling air flow, it is advantageous to if the cooling air flow to the attachment with the by means of an air guide items of laundry arranged thereon are passed. Because exhaust gills a diagonally after have opening directed downwards, the cooling air flow also flows obliquely downwards. An air guide element would add the cooling air flow in the desired manner to the attachment redirect.

This air guiding element can be easily injection molded from plastic. The air guiding element is particularly cost-effective if it is even manufactured in one piece becomes. This eliminates additional assembly and cost. Combined with the air guide element can have correspondingly shaped cams or claws on the air guide element even locked into place - for example in the blow-out gills of the dryer become.

The air guide element has an outlet opening at its end facing the attachment on. This outlet opening can be positioned so that the air flow either only below, or below and above, or only above the laundry blows. This positioning enables targeted drying.

Since the cooling air flow - i.e. the dry air for the attachment - before leaving the The dryer first swirls around inside the housing and the dryer in general has no base plate, it may be that the cooling air flow under the Dust or fluff in the dryer swirls up and carries it away. Therefore it is advantageous if the cooling air flow is filtered because of the exploitation according to the invention. in this connection it is in turn advantageous if the dust filter upstream, ie from the opening in Considered towards the attachment, is preferably arranged in the air guide.

The essay can be realized in different ways. For one thing, the essay from four mutually rectangular side surfaces, which is essentially the dimensions have the cover plate, and consist of a flat grid arranged thereon. On the other hand, the essay can also replace a grille with one on it stretched, air-permeable network.

In a further embodiment of the invention, there can be between at least one longitudinal edge an air barrier of the attachment and the associated edge of the cover plate his. This air barrier prevents the side from escaping prematurely Dry air. Are all longitudinal edges even with an air barrier, or with one Provide outlet opening of the air guide element, so the dry air can only escape upwards. This has the decisive advantage that the ones to be dried Dry air flows through laundry items during the drying process. Drying with air flowing through is very effective and therefore time-saving.

So that the dry air can flow well between the attachment and the cover plate, there must be a sufficient distance between the two. It has shown, that at a distance of 2 to 10 centimeters - preferably from 4 to 6 centimeters - satisfactory drying is possible.

It is advantageous that the attachment is easy to remove from the cover plate due to its simple construction can be removed. This allows the cover plate - as before - to Storage of any objects can be used. Will the essay someday needed again, so it can be quickly placed on the cover plate at any time.

As is generally understandable, are for the spacing of the top grille or Attachment net to cover plate, feet or spacers required. In one embodiment of the invention, the attachment is provided with special spacers. These spacers are supported both on the surface of the cover plate and on its surface Edge off. This at least makes it difficult for the attachment to slide sideways.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Trockners mit einem Aufsatz;

Figur 2:

eine Seitenansicht des Aufsatzes mit einem Luftleitelement;

Figur 3:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Trockners in Verbindung mit einer Bügelpuppe.

Figur 4:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Wäschständers, dem ein externer aus einem Trockner austretender Luftstrom zuführbar ist.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures. The individual shows:

Figure 1:

a perspective view of a dryer with an attachment;

Figure 2:

a side view of the attachment with an air guide;

Figure 3:

a perspective view of a dryer in connection with an ironing manikin.

Figure 4:

a perspective view of a clothes rack to which an external air stream emerging from a dryer can be fed.

In the figure 1, a dryer 1 is shown in perspective from the front. A schematic only The illustrated attachment 2 is above a cover plate 6 of the dryer 1 arranged. This attachment 2 consists of outer side surfaces and one located therein air-permeable storage surface, preferably designed as a grid 11 or as a network can be. The attachment 2 is spaced apart from the cover plate 6 and essentially parallel to her. In addition, the dimensions of the attachment 6 correspond horizontally, essentially the dimensions of the cover plate 6. On the grid 11 of the attachment 2, laundry items (not shown here) are spread out to dry.

As an alternative to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the attachment 2 with the Grids 11 can also be positioned at a different location than on the dryer, e.g. over the bathtub, then the air flow through a hose below the grille 11 is directed.

FIG. 2 shows the dryer 1 from the side. On the back of the Dryer 1 is an opening 4 - in the form of exhaust gills - and an air guide element 3 shown. The air guide element 3 connects to the rear of the dryer 1 and steers a cooling air stream 7 emerging from the exhaust gills 4 to the attachment 2. The cooling air flow 7, which serves as drying air, then passes through an outlet opening 5 below of the attachment grid. The air guide element 3 consists in this embodiment two curved guide walls. Because of the sectional view, there are a front and a rear Front wall not recognizable. But it is also conceivable that the air guide element 3 only consists of a baffle (and for example with two end walls). The end walls would then be shaped in such a way that no air can escape at the end. So shaped Air guiding element 3 would be in one piece, that is to say it only consist of one piece, and would therefore be particularly inexpensive.

In Figure 3 is a dryer 1 with a side opening 4 for the external air flow to see. A flexible air hose 9 is connected to the opening 4. The hose 9 is in turn connected in terms of ventilation to an inflatable bag 10 of a temple manikin. On this Inflatable bag 10 a garment is arranged. The garment would be with this one Shape of the inflatable bag 10 a garment top, e.g. a sweater, a shirt, one Blouse or jacket. The sleeve ends and the lower body end of the inflatable bag 10 are closed so that the external air flow does not escape unused and also in the Inflatable bag can build up the desired internal pressure.

In this exemplary embodiment, the iron-on manikin is designed only as an upper-body manikin. However, within the scope of the invention, it can also be designed as a full-body or trouser doll his. To give the mannequin a hold, it can be used with a stand or be provided with a suspension device. The place of installation or the place of hanging the Iron-on manikin can be both the same room as the dryer, but Due to the flexible air hose, the manikin can also be used outdoors - for example on a terrace.

According to Figure 4, a clothes horse 12 is shown, which is provided with a hood 13. An air hose 9 is connected to the hood 13, via which the external air flow a dryer (not shown in FIG. 4), that is to say the air stream emerging from the dryer, can be fed to the clothes horse 12 (arrow 14). The hood 13 still has a central exhaust opening 15 to which an exhaust hose 16 may be connected to direct the exhaust air outside through a window. In the exhaust hose 16 can still a flap 17 for closing and opening the exhaust hose 16 may be provided.

Instead of the external air flow of a dryer a hooded clothes horse 4, the external air flow of a dryer can also be supplied a drying cabinet or a conditioning cabinet that contains items of clothing, are fed.

Basically, all of the above can be done with the external airflow an exhaust air dryer as well as with the external air flow of a condensation dryer operate. The external air flow of an exhaust air dryer is suitable however, more for conditioning laundry items, such as removing wrinkles or Odorants from the laundry and, if the air is not yet saturated, also for Drying laundry items. The external air flow of a condensation dryer is but preferably used for drying.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

dryer

2

essay

3

air guide

4

opening

5

Outlet opening of the air guiding element

6

Cover plate of the dryer

7

Cooling air flow = dry air

8th

door

9

air hose

10

Inflatable bag of a manikin

11

grid

12

clothes horse

13

Hood

14

arrow

15

exhaust vent

16

exhaust hose

17

flap

Claims (17)

Method for drying or conditioning laundry items by means of a household laundry dryer, the external air flow of which flows out into the surroundings of the dryer - via at least one opening (4) in the dryer housing, characterized in that the external air flow outside the dryer housing for drying or Conditioning of objects, in particular items of laundry, is used. Device for carrying out the method according to claim 1, characterized in that an air guide device, preferably an air hose (9), which in turn is connected to an air-permeable inflatable bag (10) of an iron-on manikin (10), can be connected to the at least one opening (4), or which directs the external air flow under an air-permeable storage area (2) on which items of laundry are to be dried, or which directs the external air flow under a laundry rack (12) on which items of laundry to be dried are suspended and that preferably over the air-permeable storage area or above the laundry rack (12) is provided with a hood (13) provided with an exhaust air opening (15) for uniform distribution of the external air flow, or which directs the external air flow into a drying cabinet or a conditioning cabinet. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the household clothes dryer is designed as an exhaust air household clothes dryer and that the external air flow consists of the so-called exhaust air, which comes directly from the inside of the drum. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the household clothes dryer is designed as a condensation household clothes dryer and that the external air flow consists of the cooling air flow - the so-called secondary air flow. Device for carrying out the method according to claim 1 for drying laundry items in connection with a condensation household clothes dryer, the heated cooling air flow (7) of which leaves the interior of the dryer via at least one opening (4) in the dryer housing, characterized in that on the Cover plate (6) of the dryer (1) is an air-permeable, horizontal, flat - to the cover plate (6) spaced - attachment (2) is positioned on which the laundry items to be dried are arranged flat. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that an air guiding element (3) for deflecting the cooling air flow (7) is arranged between the opening (4) and at least one side edge of the attachment (2). Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that an outlet opening (5) of the air guide element (3) is arranged either only in the area below the items of laundry, or both below, as well as above, or only above the items of laundry. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the opening (4) is formed by exhaust gills of the dryer (1). Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the air guide element (3) is attached to the opening (4) in a self-retaining manner. Device according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that a dust filter is arranged upstream of the opening (4) in the direction of the attachment (2) - preferably in the air guiding element (3). Device according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the attachment (2) consists of side surfaces and a flat grid. Device according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the attachment (2) consists of side surfaces and an air-permeable mesh stretched thereon. Device according to one of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that an air barrier is arranged between at least one side surface of the attachment (2) and the cover plate (6). Device according to one of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that the distance between the cover plate (6) is between 2 to 10 centimeters, preferably between 4 and 6 centimeters. Device according to one of claims 5 to 14, characterized in that the attachment (2) is designed to be dismantled or pivoted away. Device according to one of claims 5 to 15, characterized in that the spacing of the attachment (2) is accomplished by means of spacers, which are also supported in the horizontal direction on the edge of the cover plate (6), so that the attachment (2) slips sideways. is at least difficult. Device according to one of claims 6 to 16, characterized in that the air guide element (3) is formed in one piece.

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