• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    top adapted to pair and close over a cabinet and clothes drying utensil for washing. it is a top (119) adapted to pair and close above a cabinet (110) of a laundry drying utensil (100), the top being formed as a ready-to-mount part ready to be assembled to the cabinet and forms a module for condensing moisture to dehydrate the drying air used to dry laundry in a drying drum of the laundry drying utensil. the top has a drying air inlet (510; 2810) for receiving moisture-laden drying air, a drying air outlet (515; 2815) for delivering dehumidified drying air, fluid passages defined therein drying air to the drying air outlet for the drying air passage to be dewatered and a moisture condensing means disposed within the fluid passages. the top comprises, integrally formed therein, at least one structural part of the utensil, the at least one structural part of the utensil comprising at least one of: a housing part (3010; 3110) of an operable fan (205) to propel drying air; a drying air delivery duct (3125) connectable to a drying air inlet of the drying drum for delivering drying air into the drying drum; a seat (3210) for a laundry detergent/softener container for laundering; a condensate water collection means (905; 2505; 3225; 3805) for collecting condensation water released by the moisture-laden drying air; at least part of a condensate water drainage system (910, 1005; 2510, 2605; 3220, 3425; 3640; 3740; 3815); a support (3405) for at least one water inlet valve (3410a, 3410b) for selectively allowing the inlet of water from an adductor; at least part of a water circuit to wash the condensation medium of moisture.
    公开号:BR112013017130B1
    申请号:R112013017130-8
    申请日:2011-12-28
    公开日:2021-09-08
    发明作者:Alberto BISON；Igor COLIN；Maurizio Del Pos；Paolo OLIVARO
    申请人:Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
    [001] The present invention refers, in general, to the field of household utensils for treating clothes for washing and clothing. In particular, the present invention relates to laundry drying utensils such as laundry clothes dryers and combined washers/dryers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    [002] Clothes drying utensils for washing are adapted for drying clothes, garments and laundry in general, by circulating dry and hot air in a tipper or drum. The drum is swivelably accommodated in a machine cabinet and is designed to hold the items to be dried. The rotation of the drum causes the articles to be dried to stir while they are reached by the flow of drying air.
    [003] Combined washer/dryer washing utensils combine the features of a washing machine with those of a dryer; in these utensils, the drum is rotatably accommodated in a wash vat.
    [004] In a known type of washing clothes washers/dryers and dryers, also called a "condenser dryer", the drying air flow is typically forced through the drum out of the access opening. front, then it passes through a moisture condensing system, where the moist air is at least partially dehydrated, dry, and the dry air flow is heated by means of a heating assembly such as an electrical resistance; the heated drying air flow then passes through the drum again, and repeats the cycle.
    [005] The condensing system can be an air/air heat exchanger, which exploits the air absorbed from the outside. Examples of clothes dryers for washing that exploit this type of condensing system are provided in documents EP 254018, EP 1584734, EP 2039819 and GB 2075559.
    [006] Other dryers and washers/dryers exploit a heat pump to dehydrate the drying air flow; in these dryers, the function of heating assembly can be performed by the heat pump itself, and thus electrical resistance may not be provided.Examples of washing clothes dryers that exploit a heat pump condenser are given in documents JP2004135715 , EP 1411163 and EP 1634984.
    [007] Other known solutions exploit a water spray condenser to cool the drying air. For example, EP 0552843 describes a washing and drying machine which includes, for the drying part, a steam condenser that communicates with the inner part of the washing container to receive the steam emanating from the washed laundry clothes contained in the drum and with a nozzle for sprinkling cold water for condensing said steam, a vacuum associated with said condenser for sucking up the condensed steam formed in said condenser and for transporting it to a drying area for the formation of dry hot air and a dry hot air recirculation duct inside said container. A water spray condenser is also described in GB2248920.
    [008] For some household appliance manufacturers, it may be interesting to explore the existing design of a washer to produce and offer customers a washer/dryer. The addition of those components and parts, which are necessary for the function of drying clothes for washing, should have as little impact as possible on the existing project; in particular, the additional components must be housed in the existing washer cabinet. This can be a tricky task because of space constraints. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
    [009] The Depositor has faced the problem of how to reduce the burden of components necessary for drying air circulation, particularly suitable for deployment in a washer/dryer.
    [0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a top adapted for pairing and closing over a cabinet of a clothes drying appliance for washing.
    [0011] The top is formed with a ready-to-assemble part ready to be mounted to the cabinet and which forms a module for moisture condensation to dehydrate the drying air used to dry laundry for washing in a drying drum of the drying utensil. clothes for washing.
    [0012] The top has a drying air inlet to receive moisture laden drying air, a drying air outlet to deliver dehumidified drying air, fluid passages defined therein from said drying air inlet to said outlet of drying air for the passage of drying air to be dehydrated and a moisture condensing means disposed within said fluid passages.
    [0013] The top comprises, integrally formed therein, at least one structural part of the utensil, said at least one structural part of the utensil comprising at least one of the following: - a part of a housing of a fan operable for propel the drying air; - a drying air delivery duct connectable to a drying air inlet of the drying drum to deliver the drying air into the interior of the drying drum; -a seat for a detergent/softener container to wash clothes for washing; - a condensing water collecting means to collect condensing water released by the moisture laden drying air; - at least part of a condensation water drainage system; - a support for at least one water inlet valve to selectively allow the admission of water from a pipeline; - at least part of a water circuit to deliver water to clean the moisture condensing medium.
    [0014] The top may have a top surface, a bottom surface and a side wall, and said drying air inlet and said drying air outlet can be provided on the bottom surface or on said side wall.
    Said part of the fan housing that is integrally formed at the top may define a first half cover of the fan housing, to which a part defining a second half cover is attachable to define a cover that accommodates a cover thereon. fan wheel.
    [0016] Said drying air delivery duct can be formed integrally to the part of the fan housing that is integrally formed at the top, or to the part that defines the second half-cover.
    [0017] Said at least part of a condensation water drainage system comprises a conduit fluidly connecting a condensation water collection means to the seat for the detergent/softener container.
    [0018] Said top comprises a water delivery assembly comprising means for delivering water into the seat interior for the detergent/softener container.
    [0019] Said detergent/softener container is a slideable drawer accommodated in the seat and having one or more detergent/softener compartments.
    [0020] Said at least part of the water circuit for delivering water to clean the moisture condensing medium may comprise at least one nozzle for spraying water onto the moisture condensing medium, the nozzle being fed with water from of said aqueduct or of said a means for collecting condensing water.
    [0021] Said at least a part of the water circuit for delivering water to clean the moisture condensing means is connected or connectable to a pump for pumping water from the condensing water collecting means to said nozzle.
    [0022] Said at least a part of the water circuit for delivering water to wash the moisture condensing medium may comprise a pump for pumping water from the condensing water collecting medium to said nozzle.
    [0023] Said at least a part of the water circuit for delivering water to clean the moisture condensing medium is connected or connectable to at least one valve for selectively feeding water from the pipeline to said nozzle.
    [0024] Said at least a part of the water circuit for delivering water to clean the moisture condensing medium may comprise at least one valve for selectively feeding water from the pipeline to said nozzle.
    [0025] Said moisture condensing means comprises a first heat exchanger of a heat pump circuit, said first heat exchanger being operable to cool and dehydrate the moisture laden drying air.
    [0026] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a clothes drying appliance for washing which comprises a cabinet having a top, a swivel drying drum accommodated in the cabinet, and a drying air circulation system. washing clothes to circulate drying air. The top conforms to the previous aspect of the invention, and the drying air circulation system comprises a drying air drum outlet connectable to the top drying air inlet, and a connectable drying air drum inlet to the top drying air outlet.
    [0027] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a panel adapted to pair and close one side of a cabinet of a clothes drying appliance for washing, for example a rear side. The panel is formed as a ready-to-assemble part ready to be mounted to the cabinet and which forms a moisture condensation module to dehydrate the drying air used to dry wash clothes in a drying drum of the wash clothes drying appliance . The panel has a drying air inlet, a drying air outlet, fluid passages defined therein from said drying air inlet to said drying air outlet for the passage of drying air to be dehydrated, and a moisture condensing means disposed within said fluid passages.
    [0028] Said moisture condensing means may comprise a heat pump.
    [0029] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a top adapted to pair and close over a cabinet of a laundry drying utensil is provided, the top being formed as a ready-to-assemble part ready for be mounted to the cabinet and forming a moisture condensation module to dehydrate the drying air used to dry laundry clothes in a drying drum of the laundry drying appliance. The top has a drying air inlet, a drying air outlet, fluid passages defined therein from said drying air inlet to said drying air outlet for the passage of drying air to be dehydrated and a means of moisture condensation disposed within said fluid passages. The top has an upper surface, a lower surface and a side wall, and said drying air inlet and said drying air outlet are provided in said side wall. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0030] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more evident by reading the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, provided merely by way of non-limiting example, a description that should be read in conjunction with the attached drawings, in the which: - Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a laundry drying utensil according to one embodiment of the present invention, with a bench forming a ready-to-assemble module for condensing moisture to dehydrate used drying air for drying laundry in a drying drum of the laundry drying utensil; -Figure 2 shows in perspective the utensil in Figure 1 with the bench disassembled; -Figure 3A shows in perspective from the rear of the utensil in Figure 2, with the rear and side walls of the cabinet removed; - Figure 3B shows a detail of Figure 3A from another point of view; - Figure 4 shows in an enlarged scale a detail of a part of the tool in Figure 3A; - Figure 5A shows in an exploded perspective view a bench of the utensil of Figure 2, in an embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 5B shows the bench in Figure 5A from below; - Figure 6 shows a detail of the bench in Figure 5A; - Figures 7A and 7B outline the trajectory followed, on the bench in Figure 5A, by the laundry drying air to be dehydrated, and by the cooling air used to cool the drying air in order to remove moisture from it; - Figure 8 shows another detail of the bench in Figure 5A; Figure 9 shows yet another detail of the bench in Figure 5A, particularly an embodiment of a mist separating means provided on the bench; Figure 10 shows a condensed water drain assembly for draining condensed water from the bench of Figures 5A and 5B; Figure 11 schematically shows a detail of an alternative embodiment of the fog separating means of Figure 9; - Figure 12 shows yet another alternative embodiment of the mist separating means; -Figure 13 schematically shows an assembly to exploit the condensation water released by the drying air to generate the steam used to cool the items to be dried; Figures 14A and 15 show a solution for generating cooling vapor, in an embodiment of the present invention; in addition, Figure 14A further shows an alternative construction of a drying air circulating fan and a drying air duct for delivering drying air to the drum; - Figure 14B shows a detail of the attachment of the drying air circulation fan of Figure 14A to the machine cabinet; Figure 16 schematically shows an embodiment of the bench of Figure 5A adapted to define a drying surface for resting garments to be gently dried; - Figures 17 and 18 show an alternative construction of the bench in Figure 5A; -Figures 19 and 20 show the implementation of the concept of Figure 16 to the construction of an alternative bench in Figures 17 and 18; - Figure 21 shows in exploded view a bench according to another embodiment of the present invention, comprising a heat pump for dehydrating and then heating the drying air; -Figure 22A shows the bench in Figure 21 partially assembled, and outlines the trajectory followed by the drying air; - Figure 22B shows the bench of Figure 22A from below; -Figure 23 shows the bench in Figure 21 partially in section and also outlines the trajectory followed by the drying air; - Figure 24A shows a variant of the solution of Figure 22, with a compressor accommodated in the base of the machine; - Figure 24B shows from below the bench and the compressor in the variant of Figure 24A; - Figure 25 shows a detail of the bench in Figure 21; - Figure 26 shows an assembly for draining condensation water from the bench of Figure 25; - Figure 27 shows a variant of the solution of Figures 21 to 26, with the heat pump accommodated in the base of the appliance; - Figures 28 to 30 show perspective views and in exploded views a bench according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figures 31A and 31B show in perspective view from below variants of the bench of Figures 1 to 27, in which part of a fan housing is integrally formed with the bench; Figures 32 to 34 show in perspective views a bench according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which a seat for a detergent/softener container is also integrally formed in the bench; Figures 35A and 35B show an alternative construction for a lint removal filter; - Figures 36 to 39 and 40 schematically show embodiments of the present invention that allow to wash the evaporator that exploits the water coming from a pipeline or the condensation water coming from the dehydration of the moisture-laden drying air; and - Figures 41 to 45 show an embodiment of the present invention according to which the module for condensing moisture to dehydrate the drying air used to dry clothes for washing is embodied as a rear panel of the machine, rather than being in the shape of a bench. DESCRIPTION OF ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE INVENTION
    [0031] Referring to the drawings, a clothes drying appliance for washing, particularly a washer/dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention, is illustrated in Figure 1 in perspective. The washer/dryer, globally represented as 100, comprises a drum 105 for loading articles to be washed and/or dried, such as clothes, clothing, bedding and the like. Drum 105 is a generally cylindrical body, for example, made of stainless steel, and is swivelable in a barrel housed in machine cabinet or casing 110.
    [0032] Cabinet 110 is generally parallelepiped in shape, and has a front wall 113, two side walls 117, a rear wall, a base and a bench (top) 119. The front wall 113 is provided with an access opening the drum 105 and an associated door 115 to close the opening. At the top of the front wall 113, a machine control panel 121 is located and, beside the control panel 121, a drawer 123, part of a wash treatment product release assembly, for loading treatment products to washing clothes for washing such as detergents and fabric softeners. Top 119 closes cabinet 110 from above, and defines a bench.
    [0033] In washer/dryer 100, when operated in dryer mode, drying air is typically forced to flow through drum 105, in which the items to be dried are contained. After exiting drum 105, the moisture-laden drying air stream passes through a moisture condensing system, wherein the moist drying air is at least partially dried, dehydrated, and the dehydrated air stream is then heated. and forced to pass through the drum 105 again, and the cycle is repeated.
    [0034] Below, several solutions according to embodiments of the present invention and possible variants thereof will be presented; essentially, the solutions that will be presented belong to one of the general classes, diverging from each other mainly by the type of moisture condensing system, which in one case comprises an air/air heat exchanger, while in another case the condensing system of moisture comprises a heat pump.
    [0035] Figures 2 to 16 show, in different views, a solution according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the moisture condensing system comprises, as mentioned, an air/air heat exchanger, described in detail to follow.
    [0036] As seen in particular in Figures 2 and 3A, 3B, a drying air circulation system is provided in the washer/dryer 100. The drying air circulation system comprises a fan 205, for example, arranged in the part cabinet 110, near the upper right corner of the cabinet. The fan 205, which is fixedly mounted to the cabinet 110, for example by means of a bracket 340 so as to be rigidly connected to the cabinet 110, has an air intake 210 facing upwards and opening towards to the top 119. The fan 205 has an outlet coupled to an inlet of an air duct 215 located on top of the cabinet 110 from the rear to the front of the same and, through a bellows (not visible in the drawings), transports the air of drying by the fan 205 into the cask 303 and the drum 105 accommodated therein. In particular, in the embodiment shown the drying air enters the tun 303 and the drum 105 in correspondence to the front part thereof (therefore, since in the exemplary embodiment considered here the fan 205 is located at the rear of the utensil, the duct air 215 is located from the rear to the front of the cabinet 110); this, however, is just a matter of design and choice, and nothing prevents drying air from entering vat 303 located in different positions, for example, on the back of cabinet 110 (in which case, if fan 205 is also located at the rear, there is no need to have an air duct located from the rear to the front of the cabinet 110).
    [0037] An air heater, for example an electrical resistor, is preferably accommodated in the air duct 215 to heat the drying air before it enters the drum 105. The drying air circulation system additionally comprises a drying duct return air 305, disposed at the rear of cabinet 110, near the upper left corner thereof and fixedly mounted to cabinet 110, for example, by means of a clamp 345, so as to be rigidly connected to cabinet 110 ; the return air duct 305 receives the drying air exiting the drum 105 and the tun 303, and has an outlet 310 facing upwards and opening towards the top 119; in particular, the drying air exits the drum 105 at the rear of it, after having passed through the drum in order to reach the items to be dried which are present therein.
    [0038] As seen in Figures 3A, 3B and 4, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the return air duct 305 receives the drying air exiting drum 105 and vat 303 through an opening in vat 303 already provided to feed the same treatment products for washing laundry clothes (detergents, softeners) and the clean water used to wash clothes for washing when the washer/dryer is operated in wash mode. In particular, a distributor 315 is provided, coupled to the opening in the vat 303. The distributor 315 has an inlet tube 320 which is coupled, by means of a bellows and a duct 323, to an assembly 325 for dispensing the products in the vat 303 of treatment for washing clothes for washing (the dispensing assembly comprising, for example, a detergent/softener container, one or possibly two electrovalves to admit cold or possibly hot water from the mains, possibly a mixing chamber for mixing products of treatment and water). The distributor 315 has an outlet opening to which, by means of a bellows 316, the return air duct 305 is connected. Internally, the dispenser 315 has a baffle 405 that extends downwardly from an upper wall of the dispenser 315 and defines a siphon: the siphon allows the laundry treatment liquid portion to wash (water mixed with the detergent or fabric softener, or possibly simply water) remains at the bottom of the dispenser 315, thus preventing that when the appliance is operated in drying mode, the drying air that exits the barrel 303 from leaking into the dispensing assembly of treatment products 325, and that, for this reason, heat is lost and, at the same time, moisture-laden air is released into the external environment (passing through the detergent container), which is considered unwanted as the washer/dryer is installed inside the home and the moisture released into the environment can cause problems.
    [0039] Part of the drying air circulation system is integrally accommodated at the top 119. As seen in the exploded view of Figure 5A, the top 119 comprises a base element 505, visible from below in Figure 5B, which has a shape and size adapted to pair and close over cabinet 110 when top 119 is mounted thereto. Near the two rear corners thereof, the base element 505 has two openings 510 and 515 formed in its bottom wall; as further described below, when top 119 is mounted and placed on top of cabinet 110, opening 510 is paired with outlet 310 of return air duct 305, while opening 515 is paired with air inlet 210 of fan 205 .
    [0040] As seen in Figures 5A, 6 and 7A, 7B, an air path for the drying air is defined in the base element 505 by means of a series of walls that rise from the lower wall. In particular, moisture laden drying air, indicated by arrow 520 in Figure 5A, coming from drum 105 and tun 303 through return air duct 305, and entering top 119 through opening 510, is initially forced to flow essentially parallel to the left side 525 of top 119, rear to front, and passing through an air lint removal filter which is removably accommodated in a respective filter seat 530 formed in base member 505. Upon exiting the lint removal filter, the drying air passes (arrow 533) through a moisture condenser comprising an air/air heat exchanger 535, so as to be cooled and release moisture in the form of condensed water . Advantageously, the air/air heat exchanger 535 is completely accommodated in the top 119, for example, as shown, in the central part thereof.
    [0041] The air/air heat exchanger 535 comprises a corrugated metal sheet portion 540, the corrugations of which define channels for the passage of air. The corrugated metal sheet portion 540 rests, both on the leading and trailing edges thereof, on a pair of comb-like structures 705 and 710, respectively disposed along a front wall 545 of the base element 505, and the along a rear wall 550 of the base element 505. When assembled, the corrugated metal sheet portion 540 is joined to the base element 505, for example, by means of glue between the comb-like structures 705 and 710. corrugated metal sheet part 540 rests on comb-like structures 705 and 710, the corrugations define, on the underside of metal sheet part 540, channels for the flow of drying air 533 to be cooled, while on the upper side of the metal blade portion 540 the corrugations define channels for the flow of cooling air 555 which, in the embodiment considered herein, is absorbed to the external environment by means of a tangential fan 560 mounted to the rear wall 550 of the element. base piece 505. The glue used to secure the corrugated metal sheet portion 540 also seals the upper and lower channels to cool the drying air. In this way, drying air 533 which, after passing through the lint removal filter, enters the air/air heat exchanger and flows under the corrugated metal sheet portion 540, releases heat to the flowing cooling air 555 above the corrugated metal sheet part 540, and it is cooled, and the moisture present in it is condensed. Cooling air 555, after passing through the air/air heat exchanger, exits from the front of the same, and is then discharged into the machine cabinet 110 through an orifice 570 provided in the base element 505. As an alternative to the tangential fan 560, an axial fan can be provided in correspondence with the hole 570 to circulate the cooling air.
    [0042] After passing through the air/air heat exchanger 535, the cooled drying air 573 exits it at the right rear corner thereof, and then flows along a portion of coiled air path 575 to the opening 515 which is connected to the fan inlet 210. Along the coiled air path portion 575, condenser/mist water droplets separation means are provided to ensure that the condenser and mist water droplets are removed from the air of drying before it reaches the air fan 205.
    [0043] As seen in Figure 9, in an embodiment of the invention, the condenser/mist water drop separation means comprises a condenser water collection tank 905 formed along the coiled air path portion 575; drops of condensation water released by the drying air upon passage through the air/air heat exchanger are withdrawn through the suction effect of the fan 205 to the coiled air path portion 575 and reach the tank 905, in which they are separated from the drying air and accumulate. At the bottom of the tank 905, a condenser water discharge conduit 910 is fluidly connected to the distributor 315, by means of a pipe 1005 visible in Figure 10. In particular, the pipe 1005 connecting the water discharge conduit of condensation 910 to distributor 315 opens into the latter at a point below the free surface of the water that remains in the siphon defined by baffle 405; in this way, it is ensured that the condensation water is not sucked in by the fan 205. When, due to the discharged condensation water, the water level in the distributor 315 rises excessively, the excess water is discharged into the barrel 303 in a position likewise so that water does not enter the drum, but is instead directly transported, through the drum, to a liquid discharge circuit comprising a water discharge pump (not shown) provided in the washer/dryer.
    [0044] As an alternative to discharging the condensed water in the distributor 315, the condensed water that is accumulated in the tank 905 can be directly conveyed (through a piping not shown) to the machine's water discharge pump.
    [0045] Preferably, as schematically depicted in Figure 11, in order to prevent the depression generated by the fan 205 from sucking the condensation water that is deposited in tank 905, the discharge conduit 910 of tank 905 is fluidly connected, through a conduit 1105, to a lower tank 1110 located at a suitable lower quota to the top 119, for example, on or near the washer/dryer base. Bottom tank 1110 is further fluidly connected, through conduit 1115, to a point of the coiled air path portion 575 located downstream of tank 905, for example, near air intake 210 of fan 205. of the lower tank 1110 has a condenser water discharge outlet 1120 which is fluidly connected to the washer/dryer water discharge circuit and thus to the discharge pump.
    [0046] A baffle 915 is preferably provided in the tank 905, the baffle 915 defining a siphon; the presence of baffle 915, which forms a barrier to the drying air flow, makes it easier for water droplets that are carried by the drying air flow to fall into the tank 905, preventing them from reaching the fan 205.
    [0047] As an alternative to the provision of baffle 915 shown in Figures 9 and 11, a mist separator element 1205 can be accommodated in tank 905, as depicted in Figure 12, to promote the removal of wet droplets from the drying air. Fog separating element 1205 may, for example, be formed from a plurality of flexed plastic or metal plates to define a tortuous path. Also in this case, the bottom tank 1110 can be provided.
    [0048] The trajectory followed at the top 119 by the moisture-laden drying air is also sketched in Figure 7A, and indicated therein as 700. The drying air passes through the lint removal filter vertically, from the top to the filter surfaces bottom, and exits filter seat 530 (to then enter the air/air heat exchanger) by passing through an opening 701 formed along a bottom of a side wall of filter seat 530. In Figure 7B, it is schematic instead (reference 701) the trajectory followed by the cooling air.
    [0049] The condensation water that accumulates in tank 905 can be exploited to generate steam used to cool the items to be dried during the drying cycle. As outlined in Figures 13 and 14A, tank 905 can be sized to have a deeper portion 1305 that defines a reservoir for the water used to generate steam. A pump 1310 has an inlet connected to the deepest portion tank 1305; pump 1310 has an outlet fluidly connected to a nozzle 1405 arranged to spray into the interior of the air duct 215, preferably at a point therein where the electrical resistor is provided to heat the drying air; in this way, the heat generated by the resistor causes the water sprayed by the 1305 pump to be vaporized, and a vapor is generated that is useful for cooling items that are dry. The resistor can be mounted internally or externally to the 215 air duct; in case the resistor is mounted in air duct 215, a shielded resistor must be used. For more efficient operation, as depicted in Figure 15, the drying air heater resistor 1505 can be associated with a finned radiator/heat sink 1510 which is accommodated in the air duct 215. heating effect of drying air and vaporizing water sprayed by pump 1310 is enhanced.
    [0050] In Figures 14A and 14B, a variant of the construction of the fan 205 and the air duct 215 is also shown, in which the air duct 215 is shaped so as to also define a cover that forms a housing for the fan 205, particularly for fan rotor 1410; the air duct is made of two half-covers, and is fixedly and rigidly mounted to cabinet 110 by means of clamp 340, as seen in Figure 14B.
    [0051] Referring again to Figure 5A, a pair of panels 580 and 585 are provided at the top 119 for closing from above the air path to the drying air defined in the base element 505. The top 119 is completed by an additional panel 590, which also has an aesthetic function, which is superimposed on the two panels 580 and 585 and which further covers the corrugated metal sheet plate 540, and by a frame 595 (the panel 590 and the frame 595 are not pictured in Figure 2). Panels 580, 585 and 590 are secured to base element 505, for example, by means of screws. A sound-absorbing material may be inserted into the top 119, for example, between panels 580, 585 and panel 590.
    [0052] In one embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 16 (and similarly in Figures 19 and 20, although the latter drawings refer to a variant of the top described herein which will be described later), panel 590 has a hole elongate 1605 extending parallel to the front of top 119, from which opening 1605 the cooling air 555, after having passed through the air/air heat exchanger 535, exits. Above panel 590, a perforated panel 1610 rests, slightly separated from panel 590, to leave an air gap between the two panels 590 and 1610. Cooling air 555, heated by heat released by drying air 533, exits of the perforations in the panel 1610. In this way, the top 119 can be exploited to rest therein, delicate garments to be dried which, due to the nature of the same, cannot be dried inside the tumbler drum without being damaged. The top 119 defines therein, thus, a path for the drying air to be cooled, and another path for the cooling air that is also exploited to dry delicate garments by resting them on the perforated surface of the panel 1610.
    [0053] The top 119, once assembled, forms a unit that is ready to be mounted to the cabinet 110 simply by placing it in the correct alignment so that the openings 510 and 515 are paired with the air duct outlet 310 the return air duct 305 and, respectively, the inlet 210 of the air circulating fan 205. As mentioned above, both the return air duct 305 and the fan 205 are fixedly and rigidly connected to the machine cabinet 110; in this way, the outlet 310 of the return air duct 305 and the air intake 210 of the air circulating fan 205 act as a centering and positioning means for the top 119, thereby considerably simplifying the assembly of the same. The top-to-cabinet mounting operation simply consists of settling the top 119 onto the cabinet, properly positioning it with the help of the self-centering action achieved by pairing the openings 510 and 515 with the outlet 310 and the air intake 210 ; in this way, all the necessary connections for the drying air circulation circuit are completed, and there is no need to make any additional connections (except for the connection of the condensing water discharge pipe 1005). Top 119 can then be secured to cabinet 110 by conventional means (e.g., screws, or by snap-in engagement). Thanks to the fact that various components of the drying air circulation system, particularly the moisture condensing system, are accommodated on top 119, several space problems in cabinet 110 are overcome; essentially, only fan 205, air duct 215, and return air duct 305 need to be accommodated in cabinet 110. This reduces space issues in cabinet 110 and makes it easier to explore an existing washing machine design for turn it into a washer/dryer without having to make substantial changes.
    [0054] A top 119 according to a variant of the embodiment just described is depicted in Figures 20. In this case, the drying air to be cooled to release moisture and to be dehydrated passes twice through the air/heat exchanger. air, once going from the front towards the rear, and then back towards the front, as diagrammed in Figure 18. This double passage improves the cooling action of the drying air by the cooling air and thus , improves moisture release. In particular, the drying air, which enters the top 119 through the opening 510, flows along a substantially straight air path 1705 defined in the base element along the left side thereof, from the rear to the front, and it then enters a lint removal filter 1710, which in this alternative is accommodated along the front side of the base element 505. The drying air passes through the lint removal filter (from top to bottom of same), and then enters the air/air heat exchanger. As in the embodiment described above, the air/air heat exchanger comprises a corrugated metal blade part 1805, the corrugations defining channels for the passage of drying air (under the corrugated metal blade part 1805) and for the cooling air (above the corrugated metal blade part 1805). The region of the base element 505 intended to accommodate the corrugated metal sheet portion 1805 is divided into two parts 1810a, 1810b, separated by a wall 1815 which extends parallel to the side walls of the base element 505. Drying air passes. of the filter to the air/air heat exchanger flowing through a passage 1820 formed at the bottom of a wall 1825 separating the filter housing from the region of the air/air heat exchanger, said passage being located on the left side of the base element. Drying air flows over the corrugated metal sheet part 1805 in the first part 1810a of the base element 505, then, in the rear part of the base element 505, the drying air passes to the second part 1810b of the base element passing through a passage 1830 formed in the bottom of the wall 1815. The drying air then flows under the corrugated metal sheet portion 1805 in the second portion 1810b of the base element 505 to the front, and exits the air/heat exchanger. air passing through an orifice 1835 below a sidewall 1840 of the base element 505 which delimits the region thereof that accommodates the corrugated metal sheet portion 1805. Thus, the cooled drying air exits the air/air heat exchanger from the front right corner thereof, then the drying air flows along an essentially straight air path 1845 towards the opening 515, where the inlet 210 of the fan 205 is located. which is released by air drying, solutions similar to those described above are exploitable. As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the top panel 1905 of the top 119 may also in that case be perforated, for the passage of cooling air, so as to provide a work surface for resting delicate garments that are not suitable for drying by laying. them inside the machine's tilting drum. The top 119 defines within it a path for the 1910 drying air to be cooled, and another path for the 2005 air cooling which is also exploited to dry delicate garments by resting them on the perforated surface of the 1905 panel.
    [0055] Figures 21 to 26 show, in different views, a solution according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which the condensing system is almost completely accommodated at the top 119 and comprises, as mentioned above, a heat pump, at the rather than an air/air heat exchanger.
    [0056] Also in this case, the top 119 comprises a base element 2105, which has two openings 2205 and 2210 formed in its bottom wall, the first opening 2205 being located in correspondence with the outlet 310 of the return air duct 305, and the last opening 2210 is located corresponding to the inlet 210 of the fan 205. In the region of the base element 2105 near the front left corner thereof, a lint removal filter assembly 2110 is located, for example, in the form. a drawer hinged at one end to the base element 2105 and hinged to allow its extraction for cleaning purposes. The lint removal filter can comprise a pair of superimposed meshes which are separated to be cleaned.
    [0057] A moisture condensing system is accommodated in the central region of the base element 2105, the moisture condensing system including a heat pump circuit comprising a first heat exchanger 2115, to cool and dehydrate the air and a second heat exchanger 2120, downstream from the first heat exchanger 2115, to heat the drying air. Depending on the refrigerant used in the heat pump, the first heat exchanger 2115 can be an evaporator or a gas heater (the latter, if the refrigerant operates at supercritical pressure), and the second heat exchanger 2120 can be a condenser or a cooler to gas (the latter, if the refrigerant operates at supercritical pressure); below it will be assumed that the heat pump comprises an evaporator and a condenser, but this is not interpreted as a limitation. The 2115 evaporator has the function of dehydrating the drying air, through its cooling; the condenser 2120 has, instead, the function of heating the dehydrated drying air. A compressor 2125 for the heat pump is attached to the underside of the base element 1405 in correspondence with the right front corner thereof, the compressor body protruding from below the base element 2105. In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figures 24A and 24B, the compressor 2125 can be located at the bottom of the cabinet 110, fixed to the base of the machine, and can be fluidly connected to the moisture condensing system accommodated at the top 119 by means of flexible tubes 2405 located at the along a rear corner of the 110 case.
    [0058] The compressor can be a variable speed compressor, which allows a compromise between the required power and the available space.
    [0059] The 2105 base element is covered by a first panel 2130, which essentially only covers the evaporator 2115, and a second panel 2135, which also covers the condenser 2120 and the filter 2110. The top 119 is completed by the top panel 590 and frame 595. A sound absorbing material may be inserted into top 119, for example, between panels 2135 and 590.
    [0060] The base element 2105 and the two panels 2115 and 2135 define a first air path that transports the drying air from the return air duct 305 to the lint removal filter, preventing the drying air from entering the evaporator, and a second air path that, from the lint removal filter, goes to the condenser and passes through the evaporator.
    [0061] The drying air passes through the filter 2110 from the top to the bottom thereof, and then enters the evaporator 2115. The panel 2130 has, along an edge of the same situated along the border between the region of the filter 210 and evaporator region 2115, a downwardly projecting flap 2135 which prevents drying air from entering the evaporator region from above filter 2110.
    [0062] In the region of the base element 2105 under the evaporator 2115, means for separating water droplets of condensation/mist are provided; in particular, the base element 2105 is inclined towards a baffle 2305 which separates the area of the base element 2105 in which the evaporator 2115 is accommodated from the area in which the condenser 2120 is placed. The baffle 2305 forms a barrier to condensed water falling from the drying air as it passes through the evaporator 2115. Preferably, transverse channels 2505 are formed in the bottom wall of the base element 2105 in the area corresponding to the evaporator 2115, to facilitate the drainage of condensed water. A condenser water drainage hole 2510 is formed in the area of the base element bottom wall corresponding to the evaporator 2115; the drain hole 2510 is fluidly connected, through a conduit 2605, to the distributor 315, to discharge the condensation water. The duct 2605 opens into the distributor 315 at a point below the surface of the water remaining in the distributor 315, to prevent, due to the depression created by the fan 205, the condensation water being sucked back. Also in this case, the excess condensation water that accumulates in the distributor 315 is discharged into the barrel, so as not to enter the drum, and then goes to the water discharge circuit of the machine. Alternatively, drain hole 2510 can be fluidly connected to the water discharge circuit (eg, discharge pump) directly.
    [0063] Also in this second embodiment, the top 119, once assembled, forms a unit that is ready to be mounted to the cabinet 110, simply placing it in the correct alignment, so that the openings 2205 and 2210 are paired with the outlet 310 of the return air duct 305 and, respectively, to inlet 210 of fan 205. Top 119 can then be secured to cabinet 110 by conventional means (e.g., screws or snap-on engagement). No additional connections need to be made, with the exception of connecting drain hole 2510 to distributor 315; in the variant having the compressor located on the base, the top 119 can be pre-assembled with the tubes 2405 fixed to the heat pump; after placing the top in the cabinet, the 2405 tubes are connected to the compressor.
    [0064] The solution that exploits an air/air heat exchanger as a condensing means to remove moisture from the drying air achieves significant water savings compared to solutions known in the art that exploit a water spray condenser; in fact, water spray condensers waste several liters of water, which is absorbed from the pipeline.
    [0065] The solution that exploits the heat pump, in addition to achieving water savings like the one that exploits the air/air heat exchanger, also allows saving electrical energy, as the electrical resistor to heat the drying air can be dispensed with (the heating of the drying air being carried out by the condenser); in any case, nothing prevents the supply, also in this realization, of the resistor air heater: for example, it can be useful for the initial stages of the drying cycle, when the condenser in the heat pump has not yet reached full working temperature , or for generating steam to cool items that are dry, as per the solution described above.
    [0066] In Figure 27 a variant of the heat pump solution is shown in which the heat pump 2705, instead of being accommodated on top 119, is placed at the base of the cabinet (with the compressor being accommodated at the bottom of the machine ); 2710 and 2715 air ducts extending along the rear wall of the cabinet are provided to transport drying air exiting the drum to the heat pump, and to transport dehumidified drying air back to an air intake from the air circulation fan 205. Also in this case, the heat pump can be embodied in the form of a ready-to-assemble set.
    [0067] Several modifications to the realizations described above can be considered.
    [0068] For example, the rotary lint removal filter described in connection with the second embodiment can also be deployed in the first embodiment.
    [0069] In Figures 28 to 30 another embodiment of the present invention is depicted. In that embodiment, instead of having two openings 510 and 515 formed in the bottom wall of the top base element 505 as in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 20, or the two openings 2205 and 2210 formed in the bottom wall of the top base element 2105 as in embodiment of Figures 21 to 27, whose openings 510 and 515, 2205 and 2210 are paired to the outlet 310 of the return air duct 305 and, respectively, to the air inlet 210 of the fan 205, the top 119 has a base element 2805 in which two openings 2810 and 2815 are formed in a rear wall 2820 of a frame surrounding the bottom wall of the top base element 2805. To the opening 2810, one end of a flexible hose 2825 is connected, which hose 2825 on the other hand , is connected to an opening in the vat 303, which can be, for example, the opening provided to feed the washing treatment products for washing, or the hose 2825 can be connected to the distributor 315, such as the air duct in return 305 on the previously described embodiments. The opening 2815 is connected, through a flexible hose 2905, to an air intake 3005 of a fan 2910. Unlike the previously described embodiments, the air fan intake 3005 is formed at the rear of a fan housing 3010. it should be noted that even if Figures 28 to 30 refer to a moisture condensation system implemented by a heat pump, nothing prevents the adoption of this same assembly of openings 2810 and 2815 at the rear of the base element 2805 also in connection with a moisture condensing system comprising an air/air heat exchanger. Furthermore, nothing prevents the hose 2825 from being connected to the barrel 303 at the front rather than the rear.
    [0070] At least part of the fan housing can be formed integrally with the top (preferably, at least part of the top and at least part of the fan housing form a one-piece construction, e.g. made through a molding process by injection); for example, as seen in Figure 30, an upper half-cover 3010 of the fan housing is formed integrally with the base element 2805, below the bottom wall 2915 of the base element 2805. A fan wheel 3015 is rotatably accommodated in a space bounded by the upper half-cover and a lower half-cover 3020 of the fan housing, and a fan motor 3023 is mounted on the outside of the lower half-cover 3020. In the embodiment shown in Figure 30, a delivery duct of air 3025 which delivers the air propelled by the fan wheel to the tun 303 is formed integrally with the lower half-cover 3015. Figure 31A shows that, similarly to Figure 30, the integration of at least part of the fan housing is equally possible in a top 119 according to the embodiments of Figures 1 to 20 or of Figures 21 to 27, with the two openings 510 and 515 or 2205 and 2210 formed in the base element 3105a of the top. Figure 31B shows an embodiment in which the air delivery duct 3125 is integral with the top half-cover 3110, that is, integral with the base element 3105b; it is intended that the same solution can be applied to the top of Figures 28 to 30, with the rear openings 2810 and 2815. In addition, it should be noted that the air delivery duct 3025 described above can be fluidly connected to a rear portion of vat 303 rather than being connected to a front portion of vat 303 as depicted in Figures 28 to 31B.
    [0071] Figures 32 to 34 show another embodiment of top 119 according to the present invention, in which a seat 3210 for a detergent/softener container is also formed integrally with the top 119, particularly integrally with the base element 3205 (preferably , at least a part of the top and the seat form a one-piece construction, eg made through an injection molding process). The detergent container (not shown in the drawings) can be, in the ordinary form of a drawer, slidably accommodated in the seat 3210. The seat 3210 projects below the bottom wall of the base element 3205 and is open at the top, being closed by a removable water delivery assembly 3215 comprising means for selectively delivering water to different compartments of the detergent drawer. Above assembly 3215, a drying air line is arranged to transport drying air from opening 2205 to the evaporator and the lint removal filter is disposed along the drying air line upstream of the evaporator, as described for the embodiments of Figure 21, 22A, 23, the filter being extractable from the machine through slot 3515 provided in the top front wall.
    [0072] Advantageously, as shown in Figure 34, a support 3405 for the water inlet electrovalves 3410a, 3410b is also formed integrally with the base element 3205 (preferably, at least a portion of the top and the support form a one-piece construction unique, e.g. made through an injection molding process), with tubes 3413a, 3413b fluidly connecting the solenoid valve outlets to the water delivery assembly 3215. A clamp can also be formed integrally with the base member 3415 to support a 3420 pipe joint for connection (via a conventional hose) to a water mains socket. In an alternative embodiment, the water inlet solenoid valves 3410a, 3410b may be supported by the clamp 3415. Preferably, at least a portion of the top and support form a one-piece construction, e.g., made through a molding process. injection.
    [0073] Also visible in Figures 32 and 33 is a variant of the solution shown in Figure 25 to facilitate the drainage of condensed water that drips from the heat pump evaporator of the moisture condensing system. The area of the base element 3205 under the evaporator is concave and has a drain hole 3220 formed essentially in the center thereof; ribs 3225 depart approximately radially from drain hole 3220, under which ribs 3225 the evaporator rests. The area of the base element 3205 under the evaporator, the drain hole 3220 and the ribs 3225 are integrally provided at the top and preferably, at least a portion of the top of the area of the base element 3205 under the evaporator and/or the hole. drain 3220 and/or ribs 3225 form a one-piece construction, for example, by injection molding.
    [0074] The drain hole 3220 is, as shown in Figure 34, connected through a hose 3425 to the seat 3210 for the detergent container, so that the condensation water can be discharged into the dispenser 315 or directly into the vat 303 through seat 3210 into the detergent container.
    [0075] Figures 35A and 35B show a variant of the lint elimination filter located upstream of the evaporator and described in connection with the previous embodiments. The lint removal filter 3500 has a collapsible construction, with a first wing 3505a connected to a handle 3510 and a second wing 3505b hinged to the first wing. The lint removal filter 3500 can be extracted from its top seat 119 through a slit 3515 provided in a front wall of the top base element, and can be unfolded for cleaning.
    [0076] Figures 36 to 39 schematically show some variants of a solution to automatically clean the heat pump evaporator of the moisture condensing system in order to remove possible lint that is not retained by the lint removal filter, or to allow eliminating the need to supply the lint removal filter. In Figures 36 to 39, the parts in the dashed rectangle 3600 are intended to be accommodated on top ready for mounting 119 or to be mounted thereto; the reference numerals 3605, 3610, 3615 and 3620 represent the main components of the heat pump, ie, respectively, the evaporator 3605, the condenser 3610, the compressor 3615 and a lamination valve 3620 (however, the compressor can in some achievements be external to the top).
    [0077] In the variant of Figure 36, a three-way valve 3625 (for example) can be provided which is operable to divert the water entering the water main tool to the detergent container 3630 (which in the example does not limiting considered herein, may be, for example, a slideable drawer accommodated in a seat formed integrally in the top 119, as shown, for example, in Figures 32 to 34) or to a nozzle 3635 disposed in the top area 119 where the evaporator 3605 is accommodated in order to spray water on it; the three-way valve 3625 can be mounted directly to the top 119. The nozzle 3635, as shown in Figure 40, can be a hole formed in a wall 4005 of the top base element in which the evaporator is accommodated, and the evaporator can be covered by a 4010 perforated panel, so that space is provided above the evaporator to contain and dispense the water intended for rinsing the evaporator. The water used to wash the evaporator 3605 then returns, through a discharge duct 3640, to the detergent container 3630. In this case, the water pressure in the pipeline is exploited. It should be noted that to effectively remove lint from the evaporator it is possible to wash with water only the end portion of the evaporator that first reaches the drying air stream, which portion obviously tends to collect most of the lint present in the air. drying.
    [0078] The variant of Figure 37 differs from that of Figure 36 mainly by the fact that the discharge of the water used to wash the evaporator is made directly into the wash barrel 303 through a discharge duct 3740; in Figure 37 the detergent container 3630 and the three-way valve 3725 are depicted as not integrally formed with the top 119, but nothing prevents one or both from being integrated.
    [0079] The variants of Figures 38 and 39 differ from those of Figures 36 and 37 in that the water used to wash the evaporator is condensing water that is collected in a basin 3805 appropriately disposed on top 119 in order to collect water of condensation dripping from the evaporator 3605. The condensation water collected in the basin 3805 is recirculated, through a pump 3810, from the basin 3805 to the nozzle 3635, from where it is sprayed on the evaporator 3605, and is then collected back in the 3805 basin. The condensed water in the 3805 basin can be discharged into the 3630 detergent container (Figure 38) or directly into the 303 vat (Figure 39), in any case a 3815 valve that is provided to selectively allow the discharge of the condensed water present in basin 3805. The presence of pump 3810 is in this case preferable as no advantage can be taken from the water pressure of the aqueduct. Preferably, a filter can be provided to retain the fluff contained in the condensed water and, preferably, the filter is disposed upstream of the pump 3810.
    [0080] Preferably, the basin 3805 is integrally formed with the top ready for assembly, preferably, at least a portion of the top and the basin form a one-piece construction, for example, made through an injection molding process
    [0081] In an alternative embodiment, the basin 3805 can be fluidly connected directly to the seat 3210 of the detergent container or to the vat 303 by means of a siphon-like system without the need for the valve 3815 so that when the level of the condensed water in the basin 3805 is higher than a predetermined level, the excess water flows through gravity towards the seat 3210 of the detergent container or the vat 303. The basin 3805 is shaped and sized to ensure that the quantity of condensed water to be contained therein is suitable for cleaning/washing the evaporator.
    [0082] Essentially, the variants of Figures 36 to 39 share the common feature that at least part of a water circuit to provide water to clean/wash the evaporator is disposed/integrated on top, preferably at least a part of the top and at least a part of the water circuit form a one-piece construction, for example made through an injection molding process. The seat for the 3630 detergent container may not be integrally formed on the top 119. In addition, the 3625 valve or the 3810 pump may simply be connected or connectable to the water circuit to clean the evaporator but not provided as an integral part of the top ( i.e., arranged on the inside or on top like the valves 3410a and 3410b pictured in Figures 34), which means that since the top is attached to the laundry drying appliance cabinet, the water circuit to be connected to the 3625 valve or the 3810 pump already present in the laundry drying appliance cabinet or, as an alternative, the 3625 valve or the 3810 pump are connected to the top water circuit and when the top is coupled to the appliance cabinet The laundry drying tool, the 3625 valve and the 3810 pump must be arranged in appropriate seats in the laundry drying tool cabinet.
    [0083] It should be noted that the underlying principle of the solutions shown in Figures 36 to 39, of automatically washing the evaporator that exploits the water from the pipeline or the condensing water that drips from the evaporator itself, is not necessarily linked to the fact that the heat pump (as well as other tumble dryer components) is integrated into a ready-to-assemble bench.
    [0084] It should be noted that, in the case of automatic washing of the evaporator that exploits the water from the pipeline, the clothes drying tool for washing is advantageously a washer/dryer to be connected to the pipeline to receive the rinsing water/ washing clothes for washing, this is of course also valid for a clothes drying appliance for washing that has the top described above.
    [0085] The washing of the evaporator can take place automatically at any time, or during a washing phase of the utensil, for example, during rinsing. To that end, the laundry appliance comprises a controller adapted to selectively actuate at least one valve (e.g. valve 3625 described above) to feed water to a water circuit, which conveys water to the evaporator for remove the fluff. Preferably, the controller actuates the valve during a laundry washing phase for washing the utensil and, even more preferably, during a rinsing phase. Alternatively, or in addition, evaporator flushing can also be commanded by a user, via the appliance user interface, for example, evaporator cleaning can be activated via a button or similar provided on the user interface. Actuation of the button allows the controller to actuate the valve accordingly. In addition, the appliance can comprise visual and/or acoustic means (display, loudspeaker and the like) to inform the user that the evaporator needs to be cleaned and that the evaporator cleaning will be carried out. Preferably, the appliance's electronic circuit is adapted to calculate how many cycles have been performed since the last cleaning of the evaporator (i.e., from the last actuation of the valve to feed water from the water circuit) and to operate the visual and/or acoustic means in conformity. The water used to clean the evaporator can be directed to the seat of the detergent container, or the vat, or a drain pump.
    [0086] Finally, Figures 41 to 45 show an embodiment in which the module for moisture condensation of the dryer, instead of being formed as a ready-to-mount top, is formed as a ready-to-mount side panel of the appliance cabinet 110 , for example, a rear panel 4110, as in the example shown. In particular, in Figures 41 to 45, it is assumed that the module for condensing moisture comprises, as a means of condensing moisture, a heat pump, which includes, in a manner entirely similar to that shown in Figures 21 to 26, a 4405 evaporator, a 4410 condenser and a 4415 compressor; however, nothing prevents the integration of a module for moisture condensation in the side panel (for example, rear) like those in Figures 1 to 20, which includes an air/air heat exchanger as a means of moisture condensation. Openings 4105 and 4115 are provided in panel 4110, which, similarly to openings 510, 515, allow the entry and exit of drying air into/from the module for moisture condensation. The 4415 compressor can, in a variant, be attached to the 4410 panel.
    [0087] It should be noted that the various embodiments and variants described here are independent of each other and can also be implemented in various combinations.
    权利要求:
    Claims (13)
    [0001]
    1.TOP (119) ADAPTED TO PAIR AND CLOSE OVER A CABINET (110) and set a countertop of a washing drying utensil (100), in particular a tumble dryer or washer/dryer, the top (119) being formed as a ready-to-assemble part ready to be mounted to the cabinet (110) and forms a moisture condensation module to dehydrate the drying air used to dry laundry clothes in a drying drum of the clothes drying utensil for washing, the top (119) having: a drying air inlet (510; 2810) to receive moisture laden drying air, a drying air outlet (515; 2815) to deliver dehydrated drying air, fluid passages defined therein from the drying air inlet (510; 2810) to the drying air outlet (515; 2815) for the passage of the drying air to be dehydrated and a moisture condensing means disposed within the fluid passages, characterized by the top (119 ) comprising, integrally formed therein, at least one structural part of the utensil (100), the at least one structural part of the utensil comprising at least one of the following: - an upper half-cover of a housing (3010; 3110) of a fan (205) operable to propel drying air; - a drying air delivery duct (3125) connectable to a drying air inlet of the drying drum to supply the drying air to the drying drum; - a seat (3210) for a detergent / fabric softener container for washing clothes for washing, wherein the detergent / fabric softener container is accommodated in the seat (3210) and where the laundry drying tool (100) is a washing machine. wash/dry; - a condensation water collection means (905; 2505; 3225; 3805) for collecting condensation water released by the moisture laden drying air; - at least part of a condensation water drainage system (910, 1005; 2510, 2605; 3220, 3425; 3640; 3740; 3815), wherein the clothes drying appliance (100) is a washing machine/ dries and the at least part of a condenser water drainage system comprises a piping (1005,2605,3425,3640,3740) fluidly connecting condenser water collection means to the seat for a container of detergents/softener and/ or to a cask (303) of the utensil; - a support (3405) for at least one water inlet valve (3410a, 3410b) to selectively allow the admission of water from a mains; - at least part of a water circuit to deliver water to clean the moisture condensation medium.
    [0002]
    2. TOP (119) according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an upper surface, a lower surface and a side wall (2820), and wherein the drying air inlet and the drying air outlet are provided on the bottom surface or on the side wall.
    [0003]
    A TOP (119) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that a part defining a lower half-cover (3020; 3120) is attachable to the upper half-cover (3010; 3110) to define a cover which accommodates a fan wheel (3015) in it.
    [0004]
    4. TOP (119) according to claim 3, characterized in that the drying air delivery duct is formed integrally with the upper half-cover (3010; 3110) of the fan housing which is integrally formed with the top (119), or the part defining the lower half-cover (3020; 3210).
    [0005]
    A TOP (119) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the top (119) comprises a water delivery assembly (3215) comprising means for delivering water into the seat to the water container. detergents/softener.
    [0006]
    A TOP (119) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the detergent/softener container is a slideable drawer accommodated in the seat (3210) and which has one or more detergent/softener compartments.
    [0007]
    7.TOP (119) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least a part of the water circuit for delivering water to clean the moisture condensing medium comprises at least one nozzle (3635) for spraying water on the moisture condensing medium, the nozzle (3635) being supplied with water from the mains or a condensing water collection means.
    [0008]
    8.TOPO(119) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least a part of the water circuit for delivering water for cleaning the moisture condensing means is connected or connectable to a pump (3810) for pumping water from the water collection means of condensation to the nozzle (3635).
    [0009]
    9.TOPO (119) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least a part of the water circuit for delivering water to clean the moisture condensing medium comprises at least one pump (3810) for pumping water from the water medium. collection of condensation water to the nozzle (3635).
    [0010]
    10.TOP(119) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least a part of the water circuit for delivering water to clean the moisture condensing means is connected or connectable to at least one valve (3625) for selectively supplying water from the pipeline to the mouthpiece (3635).
    [0011]
    11.TOP (119) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least a part of the water circuit for delivering water to clean the moisture condensing medium comprises at least one valve (3625) for selectively supplying water from the adductor to the mouthpiece.
    [0012]
    12.TOP (119) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the moisture condensing means comprises a first heat exchanger of a heat pump circuit, the first heat exchanger being operable to cool and dehydrate the moisture-laden drying air.
    [0013]
    13. CLOTHING DRYING UTENSILE FOR WASH (100), characterized in that it comprises a cabinet (110) having a top (119), a swivel drying drum (105) accommodated in the cabinet (110), and a circulation system for laundry drying air to circulate drying air, wherein the top (119) is as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12 and wherein the drying air circulating system comprises an air drum outlet. drying air inlet connectable to the top drying air inlet (119), and a drying air drum inlet connectable to the top drying air outlet (119).
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    BR112013017130B1|2021-09-08|TOP ADAPTED TO PAIR AND CLOSE OVER A CABINET AND CLOTHING DRYING UTENSILE FOR WASHING
    US10508384B2|2019-12-17|Top of an appliance for drying laundry providing drying air recirculation and moisture condensation
    US10519592B2|2019-12-31|Appliance for drying laundry providing drying air recirculation and moisture condensation
    EP2471998B1|2019-04-10|Appliance for drying laundry
    AU2015201649B2|2017-05-25|Appliance for Drying Laundry
    US20120137536A1|2012-06-07|Appliance for drying laundry
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    BR112013017130A2|2020-12-01|
    PL2471994T3|2019-12-31|
    US20140026433A1|2014-01-30|
    CN103348053A|2013-10-09|
    WO2012093059A1|2012-07-12|
    AU2011354186B2|2015-06-25|
    EP2471994A1|2012-07-04|
    RU2013136370A|2015-02-10|
    AU2011354186A1|2013-04-18|
    US9335095B2|2016-05-10|
    EP2471994B1|2019-06-26|
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    法律状态:
    2020-12-08| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2021-03-16| B07A| Application suspended after technical examination (opinion) [chapter 7.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-03-16| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2021-07-06| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-09-08| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 28/12/2011, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    EP11150054.2A|EP2471994B1|2011-01-04|2011-01-04|Appliance for drying laundry|
    EP11150054.2|2011-01-04|
    PCT/EP2011/074132|WO2012093059A1|2011-01-04|2011-12-28|Appliance for drying laundry|
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