CN104204331A - Laundry machine and method of laundry treatment in a laundry machine - Google Patents
Laundry machine and method of laundry treatment in a laundry machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN104204331A CN104204331A CN201380015845.1A CN201380015845A CN104204331A CN 104204331 A CN104204331 A CN 104204331A CN 201380015845 A CN201380015845 A CN 201380015845A CN 104204331 A CN104204331 A CN 104204331A
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- Prior art keywords
- water
- laundry
- absorbing element
- tub
- water absorbing
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 17
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 249
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 claims description 81
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 claims description 54
- 238000010412 laundry washing Methods 0.000 claims description 44
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 32
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 claims description 30
- 239000011358 absorbing material Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000010457 zeolite Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000741 silica gel Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910002027 silica gel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000008399 tap water Substances 0.000 description 4
- 235000020679 tap water Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 229910021536 Zeolite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 3
- HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N dioxosilane;oxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane Chemical compound O=[Si]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005485 electric heating Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010025 steaming Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000037303 wrinkles Effects 0.000 description 2
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004061 bleaching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008021 deposition Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000284 extract Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000014509 gene expression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001179 sorption measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008400 supply water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/40—Steam generating arrangements
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/203—Laundry conditioning arrangements
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
- D06F58/30—Drying processes
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
Abstract
Laundry machine (1) comprising a chamber (10) for treating the laundry, a steam generator (20) adapted to supply steam into the chamber (10) so as to steam treating the laundry, wherein the steam generator (20) comprises: a water absorbing element (21), adapted to absorb water at a temperature lower than a temperature threshold T and to release steam at a temperature equal to or higher than said temperature threshold T, and a heater (22) adapted to heat the water absorbing element at a temperature at least equal to said temperature threshold T.
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a washing machine and a method of performing laundry treatment in the washing machine.
In the present application, the washing machine may be a washing machine, a drying machine, or a washing and drying machine (i.e., a washing machine that can both wash and dry laundry).
In the present application, the expressions "treatment" and "treating" in relation to laundry are used to denote operations such as washing, rinsing, drying, spin drying, steam treatment and/or the like.
Background
It is known in the art to use a steam generator in a washing machine for supplying steam into a washing and/or drying drum, for example to subject the clothes to a steam refreshing cycle, or in order to eliminate (or reduce) wrinkles of the clothes after drying or spin drying.
EP 1970482 discloses a domestic laundry dryer with a closed-circuit hot-air generator, comprising a heat exchanger, a heater, a water tank, an auxiliary heater for converting water in the water tank into steam, and a process water recovery circuit which extracts water formed in the heat exchanger by condensing excess moisture in the air flow from the drying tub and feeds said water into the water tank for generating steam.
EP 2014820 discloses a domestic laundry dryer with a closed-circuit hot-air generator and a steam generator. The steam generator has an electric boiler, a demineralized water reservoir which receives demineralized water from a water tank of a heat exchanger of the hot-air generator via a drain circuit, and a lint filter.
The applicant has observed that the steam is generated by the steam generator described in the above document by means of a boiler. However, in order to prevent the deposition of scale, which can impair the operation of the steam generator, the steam generator must be refilled with demineralized water. In order to avoid manual execution of the refilling of the demineralized water, the above document discloses the use of demineralized water formed by condensation in the heat exchanger of the closed-circuit hot-air generator. However, such water is often soiled with lint and/or lint that may cause damage to the steam generator. In order to keep fluff and/or lint outside the steam generator water reservoir, EP 2014820 discloses the use of a lint filter located upstream of the steam generator water reservoir and a device for determining clogging of the lint filter. However, the applicant has observed that this complicates the design and construction of the laundry machine.
Furthermore, the applicant observed that in washing machines without a hot-air generator, or in dryers equipped with an open-circuit hot-air generator (as disclosed for example by EP 1995371), the demineralised water must be manually refilled by the user. This makes the use of the machine unpleasant for the user. Furthermore, when using tap water, in spite of the instructions for using demineralized water, deposits of scale may be produced, which may impair the operation of the steam generator. This affects the life and reliability of the steam generator.
Disclosure of Invention
An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative washing machine having a steam generator.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved washing machine having a steam generator that is relatively easy to design and construct, has high reliability, and has a long life.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an alternative washing machine having a steam generator that can be operated without the use of demineralized water.
The applicant has found that these objects are achieved by providing a laundry washing machine having a steam generator comprising a water absorbing element adapted to absorb water at a temperature lower than a temperature threshold T (i.e. when the temperature of the water absorbing element is lower than the temperature threshold T) and to release steam at a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature threshold T (i.e. when the temperature of the water absorbing element is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold T), and a heater adapted to heat the water absorbing element at a temperature equal to or higher than said temperature threshold T.
In fact, the applicant has found that the use of such a water absorbing element eliminates the need to use demineralized water by eliminating the use of a boiler, which simplifies the design and construction of the laundry machine, improves the reliability of the steam generator and prolongs the life of the steam generator.
Furthermore, as will be shown below, in some advantageous embodiments of the invention, the use of such a water absorbing element may eliminate or greatly reduce the need for refilling the steam generator with water.
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention relates to a laundry washing machine comprising a compartment for treating laundry, a steam generator adapted to supply steam into the compartment for steam treatment of the laundry, wherein said steam generator comprises:
-a water absorbing element adapted to absorb water at a temperature below a temperature threshold T and release steam at a temperature equal to or above the temperature threshold T, an
-a heater adapted to heat the water absorbing element at a temperature at least equal to said temperature threshold T.
Advantageously, the water absorbing element is adapted to absorb water from ambient air (i.e. adapted to absorb water molecules naturally present in the air as air moisture). This makes it possible to advantageously eliminate or greatly reduce the need to refill water in the steam generator.
In an advantageous embodiment, in order to increase the efficiency of the steam generator (for example, in order to guarantee the possibility of carrying out different steam generation cycles at close time distances), the steam generator is connected to a water source (adapted to provide water to said water absorbing element).
In an advantageous embodiment, the water source may be an external water supply line located outside the washing machine.
In another advantageous embodiment, the water source may be a water tank housed in the washing machine.
Advantageously, the water absorbing element can be operated with tap water without the need for demineralised water.
When the laundry machine is a dryer or a washer-dryer, it suitably comprises a hot-air generator. In an advantageous embodiment, the hot-air generator comprises a heat exchanger and a hot-air generator heater. The heat exchanger and the hot-air generator heater are suitably positioned one after the other along an air recirculation circuit, both ends of which are advantageously connected to the chamber on opposite sides of the latter. The heat exchanger is suitably adapted to cool air to condense excess moisture in the air stream from the chamber, and the hot-air generator heater is suitably adapted to heat the air stream returning to the chamber from the heat exchanger.
In this embodiment, the laundry washing machine advantageously comprises a water collector adapted to collect water condensed by the heat exchanger. The source of water for the suction element may advantageously be a water collector.
In a preferred embodiment, when the laundry machine is a dryer, the chamber is a drum rotatably positioned inside a cabinet or casing of the machine, and the laundry to be dried can be loaded in the drum to undergo a drying and/or refreshing cycle.
In a different advantageous embodiment, when the laundry washing machine is a washing machine or a washing-drying machine, the chamber comprises a washing tub and a drum rotatably housed in the tub, in which the laundry can be loaded to undergo a washing cycle, a refreshing cycle or, in the case of a washing-drying machine, also a drying cycle. In this embodiment, the steam generator may be adapted to supply steam into the tub, from which the steam is diffused into the drum, or directly into the drum.
In an advantageous embodiment, when the laundry washing machine is a washing machine or a washing and drying machine, the water absorbing element may be located in the bottom of the tub. In this way, the water source may be the bottom of the tub; in fact, the wash/rinse liquid (i.e. water or water mixed with detergent/rinse) generally sinks to the bottom of the tub, at least during part of the wash cycle.
Preferably, the water absorbing element is located in the bottom of the tub at a height higher than the lowest level of liquid in the bottom of the tub (i.e. said lowest level of liquid is reached by the liquid present in the bottom of the tub, if any, after the end of the washing/rinsing/draining cycle). This position advantageously enables the water-absorbing element to be wetted by the liquid present in the bottom of the tub during the washing/rinsing/draining cycle (so that the water-absorbing element can absorb water) and to be outside the liquid above the minimum liquid level at the end of the washing/rinsing/draining cycle (so that the water-absorbing element can release steam when positioned outside the liquid).
Suitably, the bottom of the tub is fluidly connected to the water outlet circuit.
The outlet circuit may suitably comprise a drain pump and a drain adapted to drain the liquid (i.e. water or water mixed with the washing and/or rinsing products) out of the tub after the wash and rinse cycles.
In an advantageous embodiment, the outlet circuit comprises a water recirculation circuit adapted to drain the liquid from the bottom of the tub and to re-convey it into another region of the tub, preferably into a higher region of the tub. In this embodiment, the water source for the water absorbing element may be a recirculation loop. For example, the water absorbing element may be located within or outside the water recirculation loop in fluid communication therewith so as to be wetted by water circulating in the recirculation loop.
Suitably, the laundry washing machine may comprise at least one further heater for generating hot air and/or hot water to be supplied into the chamber during a drying or washing cycle. Preferably, the heater of the steam generator is different from the at least one further heater. This makes it possible to heat the water absorbing element at a selected temperature above said temperature threshold T, independently of the temperatures used in the drying/washing cycle for generating hot air and hot water, which may be, for example, about 80 ℃ and 90 ℃, respectively. According to an advantageous variant, the heater of the steam generator may be the same heater for generating hot air or the same heater as the heater for generating hot water.
In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for laundry treatment in a laundry washing machine provided with a steam generator comprising a water absorbing element adapted to absorb water at a temperature lower than a temperature threshold T and to release steam at a temperature higher than said temperature threshold T, the method comprising the steps of:
-causing the water absorbing element to absorb water at a temperature lower than the temperature threshold T;
-heating said water absorbing element at a temperature at least equal to said temperature threshold T to generate steam;
-delivering the generated steam into the laundry and steam treating the laundry.
In a preferred embodiment, the action of causing said water absorbing element to absorb water at a temperature below said temperature threshold T is performed by placing the water absorbing element in fluid communication with ambient air. This can advantageously eliminate or greatly reduce the need to refill water in the steam generator, as the water absorbing element absorbs water directly from the air moisture.
According to an advantageous embodiment, in order to increase the efficiency of the steam generator (for example, in order to guarantee the possibility of carrying out different steam generation cycles at close time distances), the action of causing said water absorbing element to absorb water at a temperature lower than said temperature threshold T is carried out by feeding water from a water source to the water absorbing element.
In an advantageous embodiment, the water source may be an external water supply line located outside the washing machine, and in another advantageous embodiment, the water source may be a water tank housed in the washing machine.
When the laundry washing machine is a dryer or a washer-dryer, the laundry washing machine suitably comprises a hot-air generator. In an advantageous embodiment, the hot-air generator comprises a heat exchanger and a hot-air generator heater. In this embodiment, the laundry washing machine advantageously comprises a water collector adapted to collect water condensed by the heat exchanger. The action of causing said water absorbing element to absorb water at a temperature lower than said temperature threshold T may advantageously be performed by feeding water from the water collector to the water absorbing element.
When the laundry machine is a washing machine or a washing-drying machine, suitably comprising a washing tub and a drum rotatably housed in the tub, the laundry may be loaded in the drum to undergo a washing cycle, a refreshing cycle or, in the case of a washing-drying machine, also a drying cycle. In this embodiment, the act of delivering the generated steam to the laundry may be performed by delivering the generated steam into the tub and diffusing the steam into the drum or by delivering the generated steam directly into the drum.
In an advantageous embodiment, when the laundry washing machine is a washing machine or a washing-drying machine, the action of causing said water absorbing element to absorb water at a temperature lower than said temperature threshold T may be advantageously carried out by feeding water from the bottom of the tub to the water absorbing element. During the wash/rinse/drain cycle, the water absorbing element is advantageously wetted by the liquid present in the bottom of the tub.
When the laundry washing machine is a washing machine or a washing-drying machine, it advantageously comprises a water outlet circuit comprising a drain pump and a drain pipe adapted to drain the liquid from the tub after the washing and rinsing cycles.
In an advantageous embodiment, the outlet circuit comprises a water recirculation circuit adapted to drain the liquid from the bottom of the tub and to re-convey it into another region of the tub, preferably into a higher region of the tub. In this embodiment, the action of causing the water absorbing element to absorb water at a temperature lower than the temperature threshold T is performed by supplying water from the recirculation circuit to the water absorbing element.
According to the first and second aspects, the present invention may have at least one of the following features.
Preferably, the water absorbing element is adapted to release steam at a temperature not higher than about 100 ℃ to 120 ℃ when heated at said temperature above said temperature threshold T. In fact, temperatures above 100 ℃ to 120 ℃ can damage the laundry. In an advantageous embodiment, said temperature threshold T may be, for example, at least equal to about 120 ℃ (i.e., T ≧ 120 ℃).
In an advantageous embodiment, the threshold temperature T may be, for example, at least equal to about 180 ℃ (i.e., T ≧ 180 ℃).
In another advantageous embodiment, the threshold temperature T may be, for example, at least equal to about 250 ℃ (i.e., T ≧ 250 ℃).
The water absorbing element may preferably be a water absorbing material in the form of a spherical pellet, rod, or block.
The water absorbing material may be selected from the group comprising: oxygen-containing compounds including materials such as silica gel and zeolites; carbon-based compounds including materials such as activated carbon and graphite; and a polymer-based compound.
In an advantageous embodiment, the water-absorbing material comprises about 500g of zeolite; tests by the applicant have shown that this advantageous quantity of zeolite, once it has been absorbed, is capable of releasing about 175g of water (in the form of steam) when heated at the respective temperature threshold, which is sufficient for treating the laundry during the dryer cycle.
Drawings
The features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
figure 1 schematically shows a laundry washing machine according to the present invention;
figure 2 schematically shows a first embodiment, in which the laundry washing machine of figure 1 is a washing machine;
figure 3 schematically shows a first embodiment of the laundry washing machine of figure 2, wherein only some details of the laundry washing machine of figure 2 are shown;
figure 4 schematically shows a second embodiment of the laundry washing machine of figure 2, in which only some details of the laundry washing machine of figure 2 are shown;
figure 5 schematically shows a third embodiment of the laundry washing machine of figure 2, in which only some details of the laundry washing machine of figure 2 are shown;
figure 6 schematically shows a second embodiment, in which the laundry washing machine of figure 1 is a dryer;
figure 7 schematically shows a first embodiment of the laundry washing machine of figure 6, in which only some details of the laundry washing machine of figure 6 are shown;
figure 8 schematically shows a second embodiment of the laundry washing machine of figure 6, in which only some details of the laundry washing machine of figure 6 are shown;
figure 9 schematically shows a third embodiment of the laundry washing machine of figure 6, in which only some details of the laundry washing machine of figure 6 are shown;
like elements are denoted by like reference numerals throughout the drawings.
Detailed Description
Fig. 1 shows a washing machine 1 according to the present invention, the washing machine 1 comprising a compartment 10 for treating laundry and a steam generator 20 adapted to supply steam into the compartment 10 for steam treatment of the laundry.
For example, the steam treatment may be performed to subject the laundry to a steam refreshing cycle or to remove (or reduce) wrinkles of the clothes after drying or spin drying.
The washing machine 1 may be a washing machine, a drying machine or a washer-drying machine.
The washing machine 1 may be a front loading or top loading washing machine.
The laundry washing machine 1 advantageously comprises a casing 2.
In an advantageous embodiment, in which the laundry washing machine is a washing machine or a washer-dryer, the chamber 10 is advantageously connected to the casing 2 by means of a flexible bellows or gasket (not shown).
The steam generator 20 comprises a water absorbing element 21 and a heater 22, the water absorbing element 21 being adapted to absorb water at a temperature below a temperature threshold T (i.e. when the temperature of the water absorbing element is below the temperature threshold T) and to release steam at a temperature above the temperature threshold T (i.e. when the temperature of the water absorbing element is equal to or above the temperature threshold T), the heater 22 being adapted to heat the water absorbing element 21 at a temperature above or equal to said temperature threshold T.
The steam generator 20 is advantageously adapted to supply the generated steam into the chamber 10.
Advantageously, the steam generator 20 is in fluid communication with the chamber 10.
For example, steam may be delivered into the chamber 10 through at least one tube 23 and preferably a suitable valve (not shown). The steam flow may be directed from the steam generator 20 to the chamber by means of a suitable fan (not shown) or by generating a suitable low pressure into the chamber 10.
The water absorbing element 21 may preferably be a water absorbing material in the form of a spherical pellet, rod, or block.
The water-absorbing material may preferably be contained in a suitable container.
The water-absorbing material advantageously has a high wear resistance, a high thermal stability and a small pore size, which results in a higher specific surface area being exposed and thus a high surface adsorption capacity.
The water absorbing material may preferably be selected from the group comprising:
oxygenates including materials such as silica gel (including alumina) and zeolites; carbon-based compounds including materials such as activated carbon and graphite; and a polymer-based compound.
The heater 22 may comprise, for example, a resistor, or a microwave source, or infrared light, or the like.
The heater 22 is thermally coupled to the water absorbing element 21 in order to heat the water absorbing material at a temperature equal to or higher than said temperature threshold T.
For example, when the water-absorbing material is a zeolite, the temperature threshold T may be about 250 ℃; when the water-absorbing material is alumina, the temperature threshold T may be about 180 ℃; when the water-absorbing material is silica gel, the temperature threshold T may be about 120 ℃ to 180 ℃.
Advantageously, the water absorbing element used is such that it releases steam at a temperature not higher than about 100 ℃ to 120 ℃ when heated at said temperature higher than or equal to said temperature threshold T. In fact, temperatures above 100 ℃ to 120 ℃ can damage the laundry. Fig. 2 schematically shows an embodiment of the invention, wherein the washing machine 1 of fig. 1 is a washing machine.
In this embodiment, the chamber 10 comprises a washing tub 11 and a drum 12 rotatably housed in the tub 11, the laundry being loadable in the drum 12 to undergo a washing cycle, a steam treatment cycle, or, in the case of a washing-drying machine, also a drying cycle. The drum 12 is preferably perforated (although the figures do not show the holes obtained in the surface of the perforated rotatable drum 12).
The steam generator 20 may be adapted to supply steam into the tub 11, from which the steam is diffused into the drum 12, or directly into the drum 12.
In the embodiment of fig. 2, the laundry washing machine 1 advantageously also comprises a water inlet circuit 3 suitable for feeding water and washing/rinsing products (i.e. detergents, softeners and the like) into the washing tub 11. The water intake circuit 3 advantageously comprises a drawer 4, a first duct 3a and a second duct 3 b.
The preferably movable drawer 4 is suitable to be filled with washing and/or rinsing products, such as detergents, softeners, bleaching substances, etc. The drawer 4 may comprise one or more compartments (exemplarily 3 in fig. 2) for one or more washing/rinsing products, a certain number of which are transported from the drawer 4 to the washing tub 11 according to the washing program. The first duct 3a can be connected to a water supply mains (not shown) present outside the washing machine 1 and is suitable to preferably deliver fresh water to the drawer 4. The first conduit 3a may advantageously be connected to the water mains by means of one or more valves 3c (exemplarily 3 in fig. 2, indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 3 c), the valve 3c being adapted to control the flow of water. The second pipe 3b fluidly connects the drawer 4 with the tub 11, and the second pipe 3b is adapted to convey water and wash/rinse products into the washing tub 11.
In the embodiment of fig. 2, the laundry washing machine 1 also advantageously comprises a water outlet circuit 5.
Suitably, the outlet circuit 5 is fluidly connected to the bottom of the tub 11.
The outlet circuit 5 advantageously comprises a discharge pump 6, a first pipe 7 connecting the tub 11 to the discharge pump 6 and an outlet pipe 8 ending outside the casing 2. The outlet circuit 5 is suitable for discharging liquid, i.e. water or dirty water or water mixed with washing and/or rinsing products, from the tub 11 to the outside.
The outlet circuit 5 preferably also comprises a filter 7a, which filter 7a is associated with the first pipe 7 and is adapted to allow the passage of the washing liquid, but to prevent objects of fixed size from passing from the washing tub 11 to the drain pump 6. These objects may be, for example, buttons, coins or other small objects, lint, fluff or the like, which are contained in pockets of trousers or other clothing and erroneously introduced into the washing machine 1.
Optionally, the outlet circuit 5 may advantageously be provided with a recirculation circuit 9, the recirculation circuit 9 being adapted to drain the liquid from the bottom of the tub 3 and re-convey it into another region of the tub 11, preferably a higher region of the tub 11. The recirculation loop 9 preferably comprises a discharge pump 6 (or in a different embodiment, an additional dedicated pump) and a recirculation pipe 9 a. The recirculation pipe 9a advantageously terminates in an injection nozzle (not shown) in the upper region of the tub 11. In another preferred embodiment, other injection nozzles may be provided at different locations along the barrel 11.
Advantageously, a heating element 13 is provided at the level of the bottom of the laundry washing machine 1, and preferably in the bottom of the tub 11.
The heating element 13 preferably comprises an electric resistor adapted to be in contact with the liquid present in the bottom of the tub 11 to heat said liquid. In further embodiments, the heating element 13 may be a different element suitable for heating the liquid located at the bottom of the tub, such as a microwave source, infrared light, or the like.
A control unit (not shown) is connected to various parts of the washing machine 1 in order to control the operation of the washing machine 1.
In order to perform the steaming process, the control unit is advantageously configured to carry out the method of the invention.
Preferably, the control unit is configured to cause the water absorbing element 21 to absorb water at a temperature lower than the temperature threshold T; and when the steam treatment is required, heat the water absorbing element 21 at a temperature equal to or higher than said temperature threshold T so as to generate steam and convey the generated steam into the chamber 10 so as to subject the laundry to the steam treatment.
According to various embodiments of the present invention, the water absorbing member 21 may absorb water in the washing machine 1 of fig. 2.
Some of these different embodiments are exemplarily shown in fig. 3 to 5, showing only some details of the laundry machine 1 of fig. 2 for the sake of clarity.
In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the water absorbing element 21 is in fluid communication with ambient air and absorbs water from the ambient air (i.e., water molecules that naturally exist in the air as air moisture).
According to the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the steam generator 20 is positioned in the bottom of the tub 11. In this way, the water absorbing element 21 may be wetted by the liquid present in the bottom of the tub during the wash/rinse/drain cycle.
Preferably, the water absorbing element 21 is positioned in the bottom of the tub 11 at a height higher than the lowest liquid level in the bottom of the tub 11 (i.e. the lowest liquid level is reached by the liquid present in the bottom of the tub 11, if any, after the end of the washing/rinsing/draining cycle). This position advantageously enables the water absorbing element 21 to be wetted by the water present in the bottom of the tub during the wash/rinse/drain cycle (so that the water absorbing material can absorb the water) and enables the water absorbing element 21 to be outside the water at the end of the wash/rinse/drain cycle above the minimum water level (so that the water absorbing element can release steam when positioned outside the water).
In a variant (not shown) of the embodiment of fig. 4, the heater 22 of the steam generator may be identical to the heating element 13 (or a part of the heating element 13) positioned in the bottom of the tub 11 for heating the washing/rinsing liquid.
According to another embodiment, the water source for the water absorbing member 21 may be an external water supply line located outside the washing machine.
For example, fig. 5 shows an embodiment in which the steam generator 20 is in fluid communication with the water mains via a valve 3 d.
According to another embodiment (not shown), the water source for the water absorbing element 21 may be a water tank housed in the washing machine 1. The water tank may be manually refilled with tap water, for example by a user.
According to an advantageous embodiment (not shown), the water absorbing element may be located inside or outside the water recirculation circuit 9 in fluid communication with the water recirculation line 9, so as to be wetted by the water circulating in the recirculation circuit 9.
Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the washing machine of fig. 1 is a dryer.
In this embodiment, the chamber 10 is advantageously a drum rotatably positioned inside the casing 2 and in which the laundry to be dried is located to undergo a drying and/or refreshing cycle.
In the embodiment of fig. 6, laundry washing machine 1 suitably comprises a hot-air generator 30.
Preferably, the closed-circuit hot-air generator 30 comprises an air recirculation line 31, a fan 32, a heat exchanger 33 (also called condenser) and a hot-air generator heater 34, the two ends of the air recirculation line 31 being connected to the chamber 10, preferably on opposite sides of the chamber 10; a fan 32 (or other type of air circulation pump) is positioned along the recirculation circuit 31 to generate inside the recirculation circuit 31 a flow of air flowing into the chamber 10 and over the laundry inside the chamber 10; a hot-air generator heater 34 (in the example shown, the hot-air generator heater 34 is a resistor, but it may also be, for example, a heat pump system) is located downstream of the heat exchanger 33 along the air recirculation line 31.
The heat exchanger 33 is suitably adapted to cool air so as to condense excess moisture in the air stream from the chamber 10, and the hot-air generator heater 34 is suitably adapted to heat the air stream returning from the heat exchanger 33 to the chamber 10.
Optionally, as shown in the embodiment shown in fig. 6, the laundry washing machine 1 may also advantageously comprise a condensation recirculation circuit 35, the condensation recirculation circuit 35 being adapted to drain the condensed water coming from the heat exchanger 33 and to convey it into a sump 37. The recirculation line 35 preferably includes a discharge pump 36 and a recirculation line 35 a.
A control unit (not shown) is connected to various parts of the washing machine 1 in order to ensure the operation of the washing machine.
In order to perform the steaming process, the control unit is advantageously configured to carry out the method of the invention.
Similar to what is disclosed above with reference to the embodiment of fig. 2, the control unit is advantageously configured to: causing the water absorbing element 21 to absorb water at a temperature lower than said temperature threshold T; and when the steam treatment is required, heating the water absorbing element 21 at a temperature equal to or higher than said temperature threshold T so as to generate steam, and delivering the generated steam into the chamber 10 so as to steam-treat the laundry.
According to various embodiments of the present invention, the water absorbing member 21 may absorb water in the washing machine 1.
Fig. 7 to 9 exemplarily show some of these different embodiments, wherein, for the sake of clarity, only some details of the laundry machine 1 of fig. 6 are shown.
In the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 7, in which the laundry washing machine 1 comprises a condensation recirculation circuit 35 and a water collector 37, the water collector 37 is advantageously used as a source of water for the water-absorbing element 21. The steam generator 20 is advantageously in fluid communication with the sump 37, for example, by a pipe 38 and a drain pump 39.
In another advantageous embodiment shown in fig. 8, the water absorbing element 21 is in fluid communication with and absorbs water from the ambient air. In this embodiment, although shown in the drawings, the condensate recirculation loop 35 and the water collector 37 are optional.
According to another embodiment shown in fig. 9, the water source for the water absorbing member 21 may be an external water supply line located outside the washing machine 1. Although shown in the drawings, the presence of the condensate recirculation loop 35 and the water trap 37 is optional in this embodiment. For example, fig. 9 shows an embodiment in which the steam generator 20 is in fluid communication with the water supply main through a valve 3 d.
According to another embodiment (not shown), the water source for the water absorbing element 21 may be a water tank housed in the washing machine 1. The water tank may be manually refilled with tap water, for example by a user. The presence of the condensate recirculation loop 35 and the water trap 37 is also optional in this embodiment.
The latter embodiment is useful, for example, when the laundry washing machine 1 of fig. 6 is not provided with a condensation recirculation circuit 35. This may be the case, for example, in the washing machine 1 of fig. 6 having a hot-air generator of the open circuit type instead of the closed circuit type. In this case, the hot-air generator 30 of the open-circuit type (not shown) will suitably comprise an intake manifold connecting the wall of the chamber 10 (preferably the rear wall) to the air intake, an air exhaust manifold, electric heating elements and a fan; which is connected at one end to a wall (preferably the front wall) of the chamber 10 and at the other end to an exhaust port located at the front of the casing 2; the electric heating elements are positioned along the intake manifold to heat the air before it is fed into the chamber 10; the fan is positioned along the exhaust manifold to draw air along the intake manifold and feed it into the chamber 10, and to expel moist air through the exhaust manifold.
When the laundry washing machine 1 is a washer-dryer, all embodiments disclosed above with reference to the washer-dryer as well as with reference to the dryer are advantageously applied.
From the above description it will be clear that the use of the water-absorbing element 21 makes it possible to eliminate the need to use demineralized water with respect to the known machine described above.
In addition, in addition to the above-described embodiment in which a manually refillable water tank is used to supply water to the water absorbing element 21, the present invention, in its advantageous embodiments, can eliminate the need to manually refill water in the steam generator.
Furthermore, the embodiments of fig. 3 and 8 can completely eliminate the need for water refilling in the steam generator (when the embodiments are used alone) or greatly reduce the need for water refilling (e.g., such embodiments are combined with other embodiments of the present invention).
Claims (15)
1. A laundry washing machine (1), said laundry washing machine (1) comprising a chamber (10) and a steam generator (20), said chamber (10) being for treating laundry, said steam generator (20) being adapted to supply steam into said chamber (10) for steam treating said laundry,
it is characterized in that
The steam generator (20) comprises:
-a water absorbing element (21), said water absorbing element (21) being adapted to absorb water at a temperature below a temperature threshold T and to release steam at a temperature equal to or above said temperature threshold T; and
-a heater (22), said heater (22) being adapted to heat said water absorbing element at a temperature at least equal to said temperature threshold T.
2. Laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said water absorbing element (21) is adapted to absorb water from ambient air.
3. The laundry machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said steam generator (20) is connected to a water source.
4. A laundry machine (1) according to claim 3, wherein said laundry machine is a dryer or a washer-dryer and comprises:
-a hot-air generator (30), said hot-air generator (30) comprising a heat exchanger (33) and a hot-air generator heater (34); and
-a water collector (37), said water collector (37) being adapted to collect water condensed by said heat exchanger (33),
the water source is the water collector (37).
5. The laundry machine (1) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein said laundry machine (1) is a washing machine or a washing-drying machine, and said chamber (10) comprises a tub (11) and a drum (12) rotatably housed in said tub (11).
6. The laundry machine (1) according to claim 5, wherein said water absorbing element (21) is located in the bottom of said tub (11).
7. Laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 6, wherein said water absorbing element (21) is located in the bottom of the tub (11) at a height higher than the lowest liquid level reached by the liquid, if any, in the bottom of the tub (11) after the end of the washing/rinsing/draining cycle.
8. Laundry washing machine (1) according to claims 3 and 5, comprising a water outlet circuit (5), said water outlet circuit (5) comprising:
-a discharge pump (6),
-a drain (7, 8), said drain (7, 8) being adapted to drain liquid from said tub (11) after a washing and rinsing cycle; and
-a water recirculation circuit (9, 9a), said water recirculation circuit (9, 9a) being adapted to drain said liquid from the bottom of said tub (11) and to re-convey said liquid into another area of said tub (11),
wherein,
the water source is the recirculation loop (9, 9 a).
9. The laundry machine (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said water absorbing element (21) comprises a water absorbing material selected from the group comprising: oxygenates including silica gel and zeolites; a carbon-based compound comprising activated carbon and graphite; and a polymer-based compound.
10. Method for laundry treatment in a washing machine (1) provided with a steam generator (20), said steam generator (20) comprising a water absorbing element (21), said water absorbing element (21) being adapted to absorb water at a temperature lower than a temperature threshold T and to release steam at a temperature equal to or higher than said temperature threshold T,
characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:
-causing the water absorbing element (21) to absorb water at a temperature lower than the temperature threshold T;
-heating said water absorbing element at a temperature at least equal to said temperature threshold T to generate steam;
-delivering the generated steam into the laundry and steam treating the laundry.
11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the action of causing the water absorbing element (21) to absorb water at a temperature lower than the temperature threshold T is performed by supplying water from a water source to the water absorbing element (21).
12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the washing machine is a dryer or a washer-dryer comprising:
-a hot-air generator (30), said hot-air generator (30) comprising a heat exchanger (33) and a hot-air generator heater (34); and
-a water collector (37), said water collector (37) being adapted to collect water condensed by said heat exchanger (33),
wherein the action of causing the water absorbing element (21) to absorb water at a temperature below the temperature threshold T is performed by supplying water from the sump (37) to the water absorbing element (21).
13. Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the laundry washing machine (1) is a washing or washing-drying machine comprising a tub (11) and a drum (12), the drum (12) being rotatably housed in the tub (11), and the action of causing the water absorbing element (21) to absorb water at a temperature lower than the temperature threshold T is carried out by feeding water from the bottom of the tub (11) to the water absorbing element.
14. Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the laundry washing machine (1) is a washing or washing-drying machine comprising a tub, a drum rotatably housed in the tub, and a water outlet circuit (5), the water outlet circuit (5) comprising:
-a discharge pump (6),
-a drain (7, 8), said drain (7, 8) being adapted to drain liquid from said tub (11) after a washing and rinsing cycle; and
-a water recirculation circuit (9, 9a), said water recirculation circuit (9, 9a) being adapted to drain said liquid from the bottom of said tub (11) and to re-convey said liquid into another area of said tub (11),
wherein the action of causing the water absorbing element (21) to absorb water at a temperature lower than the temperature threshold T is performed by supplying water from the recirculation circuit (9, 9a) to the water absorbing element (21).
15. Method according to claim 10, wherein the action of causing the water absorbing element (21) to absorb water at a temperature lower than the temperature threshold T is performed by placing the water absorbing element in fluid communication with ambient air.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP12160679.2 | 2012-03-22 | ||
| EP12160679.2A EP2642012B1 (en) | 2012-03-22 | 2012-03-22 | Laundry machine and method of laundry treatment in a laundry machine |
| PCT/EP2013/055323 WO2013139686A1 (en) | 2012-03-22 | 2013-03-15 | Laundry machine and method of laundry treatment in a laundry machine |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN104204331A true CN104204331A (en) | 2014-12-10 |
| CN104204331B CN104204331B (en) | 2017-04-26 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201380015845.1A Active CN104204331B (en) | 2012-03-22 | 2013-03-15 | Laundry machine and method of laundry treatment in a laundry machine |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP2642012B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN104204331B (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2013234488A1 (en) |
| PL (1) | PL2642012T3 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2013139686A1 (en) |
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| CN104846607A (en) * | 2015-05-21 | 2015-08-19 | 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 | Washing machine |
| WO2016150402A1 (en) * | 2015-03-25 | 2016-09-29 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Condensed water collecting and evaporating device for cloth drying machine, cloth drying machine and control method therefor |
| CN106245290A (en) * | 2016-08-31 | 2016-12-21 | 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 | Dryer |
| CN106609453A (en) * | 2015-10-22 | 2017-05-03 | 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 | Condensation water box for clothing dryer and clothing dryer having condensation water box for clothing dryer |
| CN110258073A (en) * | 2019-06-26 | 2019-09-20 | 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 | Clothes treatment device and control method thereof |
| WO2023029193A1 (en) * | 2021-08-30 | 2023-03-09 | 无锡小天鹅电器有限公司 | Laundry treatment device |
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- 2013-03-15 AU AU2013234488A patent/AU2013234488A1/en not_active Abandoned
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| CN110258073A (en) * | 2019-06-26 | 2019-09-20 | 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 | Clothes treatment device and control method thereof |
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| WO2023029193A1 (en) * | 2021-08-30 | 2023-03-09 | 无锡小天鹅电器有限公司 | Laundry treatment device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP2642012A1 (en) | 2013-09-25 |
| WO2013139686A1 (en) | 2013-09-26 |
| AU2013234488A1 (en) | 2014-08-21 |
| EP2642012B1 (en) | 2019-05-08 |
| PL2642012T3 (en) | 2019-10-31 |
| CN104204331B (en) | 2017-04-26 |
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