WO2007065831A1

WO2007065831A1 - A dryer

Info

Publication number: WO2007065831A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/069075
Authority: WO
Inventors: Davut Ayhan Serebatir; Kenan Atac; Ergin Arslan; Erkan Tarakci
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2005-12-05
Filing date: 2006-11-29
Publication date: 2007-06-14
Also published as: TR200803577T1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dryer (1) wherein the noise generated as a result of the high speed cooling air that leaves the condenser (3) by impacting on the parts is minimized.

Description

A DRYER

[0001] The present invention relates to a dryer wherein the noise generated due to the high speed cooling air leaving the condenser is minimized.

[0002]

[0003] In the state-of-the-art dryers with condensers, the condenser utilized for absorbing the moisture in the circulating air cycled to dry the laundry is cooled by a fan, providing to condense the moisture in the circulating air. The fan aspirates the cooling air from the exterior environment and directs it to the condenser by means of a guide. The moisture in the drying air is condensed by cooling the condenser. The dehumidified drying air is passed over the heaters, delivering hot and dry air into the drum. The refrigerant air exiting the condenser is discharged through the openings on the bottom chassis of the dryer into the void and usually impacts on the side panels of the dryer with high speed. A flow generated high level noise is generated due to this impact.

[0004]

[0005] In the state of the art European Patent Application no. EP 1516953, a clothes drying machine is described wherein the cooling air aspirated by the fan is passed through two condensers arranged one above the other, minimizing the noise.

[0006] The object of the present invention is the realization of a dryer comprising a flow regulator which prevents the noise generated as a result of the high speed cooling air exiting the condenser and impacting on the side panel of the dryer or the elements.

[0007] The dryer realized in order to fulfill the objectives of the present invention is explicated in the first claim whereas the other features are explicated in the dependent claims.

[0008] In the dryer of the present invention, the cooling air aspirated by the fan is diverted by the guide positioned at the exit of the condenser that it cools such that sound is attenuated. The kinetic energy of the cooling air is lowered by means of the holes on the guide and the noise generated by the impact on the parts is reduced.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling air is directed towards the attenuators at the interior of the guide by means of the fins situated on the guide. Accordingly its impact on noise generating elements like the panel is prevented and minimization of the noise is provided.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fins situated on the guide holes are aligned by the user to the positions predetermined by the producer, and sound attenuation can be maintained in the user selected operational conditions.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fins are regulated automatically according to the flow rate of the air aspirated by the fan and sound attenuation can be maintained under different operational conditions.

[0012] The dryer realized in order to fulfill the objectives of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0013] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a dryer.

[0014] Figure 2 - is the schematic view of a dryer.

[0015] Figure 3 - is the perspective view of a flow regulator with holes.

[0016] Figure 4 - is the sideways view of a flow regulator with holes.

[0017] Figure 5 - is the schematic view of a dryer comprising a flow regulator and a fan.

[0018] Figure 6 - is the schematic view of a dryer comprising a guide.

[0019] Figure 7 - is the perspective view of a flow regulator having more than one fin.

[0020] Figure 8 - is the sideways view of a flow regulator having more than one fin.

[0021] Figure 9 - is the view of detail D of a flow regulator.

[0022] Figure 10 - is the schematic view of a flow regulator having more than one spring.

[0023] Figure 11 - is the perspective view of a support.

[0024] Figure 12 - is the perspective view of a flow regulator, a support and a condenser.

[0025] The elements shown in figures are numbered as follows:

1. Dryer

2. Drum

3. Condenser

4. Condenser fan

5. Flow regulator

6. Impact surface

7. Hole

8. Channel

9. Attenuator

10. Fin

11. Axle

12. Stopper

13. Motor

14. Chain

15. , 150. Cogwheel 16. Support

17. Wheel

18. Leg

19. Body

20. Flow regulator fan

21. Nozzle

22. Guide

23. Spring

24. Control card

[0026] The dryer (1) comprises a drum (2) wherein the laundry to be dried is emplaced, a condenser (3) that provides to condense the humid air in the drum (2) extracting the water in order to remove the moisture from the laundry in the drum (2), at least one condenser fan (4) that provides to blow the aspirated ambient air on the condenser (3) for cooling the condenser (3), and a flow regulator (5) which the cooling air aspirated by the condenser fan (4) and diverted over the condenser (3) meets just after exiting the condenser (3), providing to direct the cooling air for reducing its energy before impacting on the other elements, reducing the noise that may be generated as a result of the impact.

[0027] The flow regulator (5) comprises an impact surface (6), preferably having a curvilinear shape that provides to divert the incoming cooling air to the voids in the dryer (1) before forming turbulences and more than one hole (7) on the impact surface (6) providing some of the incoming cooling air to pass through and to reduce its energy.

[0028] In the present invention, the cooling air aspirated from the environment by the condenser fan (4) is diverted unto the condenser (3) and meets with the flow regulator (5) at the exit of the condenser (3) upon passing over the condenser (3) that it cools. The flow regulator (5) directs some of the incoming cooling air towards the voids around the lateral surfaces of the dryer (1). The rest of it passes through the holes (7) to be transferred to different directions. Since the energy of the cooling air is reduced by means of the holes (7), its impact impetus on the parts and elements is reduced and generates much less noise than the noise generated without a flow regulator (5) (Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4).

[0029] The flow regulator (5) comprises a channel (8) that provides the air incoming

through the holes (7) to be directed towards the lower surfaces of the condenser (3) and to cool the condenser (3) (Figure 3 and Figure 4).

[0030] The flow regulator (5) comprises one or more attenuators (9), for example felt, situated on its surfaces, providing to reduce the energy of the cooling air incoming through the holes (7) and the attenuation of sound. In the preferred embodiment, the felt shaped attenuators (9) are emplaced in the channel (8) and noise is minimized (Figure 4).

[0031] By means of this embodiment, the cooling air delivered to the channel (8) is

diverted to the voids that are parallel to the base of the dryer (1) such that it will be de- energized by means of the attenuators (9) situated on the channel (8) surfaces and preferably sweep past the bottom surfaces of the condenser (3). Accordingly as the cooling air is de-energized, the condenser (3) is provided to be cooled. The cooling air, de-energized by the attenuator (9), impacts on the parts or elements on its flow path with a lesser impetus and generates much less noise than without the flow regulator (5).

[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulator (5) comprises one or more fins (10) situated on the holes (7), fixed with angles determined by the producer, providing to direct the incoming cooling air through the holes (7) towards the channel (8). In this embodiment, the fins (10) are fixed with angles determined by the producer (Figure 7, Figure 8 and Figure 9). The flow regulator (5) can be situated in, over or on the side of the hole (7) depending on the shape and position of the holes (7).

[0033] In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulator (5) comprises an axle (11) around which the fin (10) can move rotationally, a gearwheel (15) on the end of the axle (11) actuating the axle (11) and a stopper (12) that provides to keep the gearwheel (15) and thus the fin (10) in the desired position. In the embodiment of the present invention, the fins (10) can be kept at the desired angle by the stopper (12) and the cooling air incoming onto the flow regulator (5) can be directed as desired, providing for the generation of minimal noise. The positions at which the stopper (12) will be utilized is determined by the producer depending on the positions of the fins (10) on the flow regulator (5), the flow rate of the incoming cooling air, the shapes of the fins (10) directing the flow and the angle of contact and de-contact of the cooling air to the fin (10) (Figure 10, Figure 11 and Figure 12).

[0034] In this embodiment, the producer can design the dimensions of the flow regulator (5), the number of the fins (10) and the angle of the fins (10) such that noise is minimized. Consequently, different flow rates can be attained by changing the angles of the fins (10).

[0035] In this embodiment, by means of the curvilinear shape of the fins (10), the corner losses are also reduced as the flow is directed. Accordingly, since the flow will become a regular flow between the fins (10), the turbulences that may form at the condenser (3) exit are also reduced. Therefore the dimensions of the fins (10) are sized to meet the cooling air exiting the condenser (3) (Figure 7). For example, by making the fin (10) lengths and widths the same or larger than the condenser (3) length-height, almost all the cooling air exiting the condenser (3) can be directed towards the desired directions. Furthermore the axles (11) are arranged at places not contacted by the cooling air such that the regular flow of the cooling air flowing over the fins (10) is not disturbed (Figure 8 and Figure 9).

[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the entrance angle of the fin (10) is positioned such that it is perpendicular to the air exiting the condenser (3). Accordingly the formation of resistance against the flow or the effects of turbulence are reduced. The attenuator (9) situated in the flow regulator (5) is positioned such that the flow is directed and a maximum contact surface is provided with the fluid air. Maximum contact surface can also be provided by using attenuators (9) having curvilinear surfaces (Figure 8). Accordingly the kinetic energy of the fluid can be reduced further. The fins (10) situated on the flow regulator (5) provide to direct the fluid on the curvilinear surface of the attenuator (9). The exit angle of each fin (10) is shaped such that the air flow passes as tangentially as possible to the attenuator (9). Therefore the exit angle of each fin (10) is selected to be different from one another (Figure 9).

[0037] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flow regulator (5)

comprises a motor (13) that regulates the rotational movements of the fin (10), a chain (14) actuated by the motor (13), a gearwheel (150) on the axle (11) actuated by the chain (14) and a support (16) providing the chain (14) to be seated on the gearwheels (150) without losing its tautness and preventing its displacement. In this embodiment, the support (16) comprises one or more wheels (17) providing the movement of the chain (14), a leg (18) on which the wheels (17) are situated, at least one spring (23) in the leg (18) for pressing of the wheels (17) onto the chain (14) and a body (19) fixing the legs (18) on the dryer (1) (Figure 10). Furthermore, the dryer (1) comprises a control card (24) that provides the control of the motor (13).

[0038] In different rotational speeds of the condenser fan (4), in different drying programs of the dryer (1) and when the rotational direction of the drum (2) changes, the orientation of the cooling air discharged from the condenser (3) is different. In this embodiment, the fins (10) are rotated by means of the motor (13) and the entrance angles are adjusted according to the orientation of the cooling air. Consequently the fins (10) can be directed depending on the momentary flow rates of the cooling air and minimal generation of noise is provided in different operational conditions (Figure 12).

[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, a flow regulator (5) comprising a flow regulator fan (20) is utilized, providing the aspiration of the cooling air into the channel (8). Consequently, the continual aspiration through the holes (7) and the regular flow of the cooling air over the flow regulator (5) without forming turbulences is provided (Figure 5).

[0040] In another embodiment of the present invention, the dryer (1) comprises a nozzle

(21) providing the condenser fan (4) to direct the cooling air to the condenser (3) and a guide (22) providing the re-aspiration of the cooling air in the channel (8) by the condenser fan (4) to be directed to the condenser (3). In this embodiment, the guide

(22) connects the channel (8) to the nozzle (21) and extends into the nozzle (21) orifice in order for the condenser fan (4) to direct the cooling air to the condenser (3) (Figure 6).

[0041] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a corrugated attenuator (9) is utilized in order to increase the contact surface of the air in the flow regulator (5) with the attenuator (9). In this case, the shape and number of the fins (10) are determined according to the shape of the attenuator (9).

[0042] By the present invention, the flow regulator (5) directs the high speed cooling air to the layers of attenuators (9) in its inner volume by means of the fins (10). By this means, it prevents the formation of turbulence in the air flow. The fin (10) exit angles and the curvilinear shape of the attenuator (9) are adjusted such that the air flows tan- gentially over the attenuator (9) and thus loses its energy gradually. By means of this shape, the contact surface of the attenuator (9) with air is also increased. The cooling air losing its energy in its flow path within the flow regulator (5), is delivered from one end of the channel (8) to the condenser (3) area, thus providing to cool the condenser (3) further.

[0043] The flow regulator (5) utilized in the dryer (1) of the present invention, prevents the decrease of the condenser (3) efficiency by directing the high speed cooling air to the voids. Furthermore, it prevents the generation of noise by obviating the cooling air from impacting on the panel or similar elements. In addition, the kinetic energy of the cooling air is reduced gradually by decreasing the formation of turbulence at the exit from the condenser (3) and thus a considerable reduction in the flow generated noise is provided. Furthermore, by providing the cooling air discharged from the condensers (3) positioned quite near the side panels of the dryer (1), to be directed into the desired voids in a narrow space by the flow regulator (5) and to attain the maximum energy reduction possible in the smallest space, secures important advantages in reducing the noise power level.

Claims

[0001] A dryer (1) comprising a drum (2) wherein the laundry to be dried is emplaced, a condenser (3) that provides to condense the humid air in the drum (2), extracting the water in order to remove the moisture from the wet laundry in the drum (2), at least one condenser fan (4) that provides to blow the aspirated ambient air onto the condenser (3) for cooling the condenser (3), and characterized by a flow regulator (5) having an impact surface (6) that provides to direct the incoming cooling air to the voids in the dryer (1) without forming turbulences and more than one hole (7), situated on the impact surface (6), providing to split some of the incoming cooling air by passing it through, and to reduce ite energy, which meets the cooling air aspirated by the condenser fan (4), diverted onto the condenser (3) just after exiting the condenser (3), providing to direct the cooling air for reducing ite energy before impacting on the other elements, reducing the noise that may be generated as a result of the impact.

[0002] A dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a flow regulator (5) comprising a channel (8) providing to direct the air incoming through the holes (7) to the bottom surfaces of the condenser (3) and to cool the condenser (3).

[0003] A dryer (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a flow regulator (5) comprising one or more attenuators (9) situated on ite surfaces for reducing the energy of the cooling air incoming through the holes (7) and providing the attenuation of sound.

[0004] A dryer (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by a flow regulator (5) comprising an attenuator (9) positioned curvilinearly such that the flow is directed and a maximum contact surface with the flowing air is provided.

[0005] A dryer (1) as in Claim 3 or 4, characterized by a flow regulator (5) comprising a corrugated attenuator (9).

[0006] A dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a flow regulator

(5) comprising one or more fins (10) situated on the holes (7), providing the cooling air incoming through the holes (7) to be directed to the channel (8).

[0007] A dryer (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by a flow regulator (5) comprising fins

(10), of which the number and the fixation angles are determined by the producer.

[0008] A dryer (1) as in Claim 6 or 7, characterized by a flow regulator (5) comprising fins (10) having exit angles shaped such that the air flow passes as tangential as possible to the attenuator (9).

[0009] A dryer (1) as in any one of the Claims 6 to 8, characterized by a flow regulator

(5) comprising an axle (11) around which the fin (10) can move rotationally, a gearwheel (15) on the end of the axle (11) actuating the axle (11) and a stopper (12) that provides to secure the gearwheel (15) and thus the fin (10) in the desired position.

[0010] A dryer (1) as in Claim 9, characterized by a flow regulator (5) comprising a motor (13) that regulates the rotational motion of the fin (10), a chain (14) actuated by the motor (13), a gearwheel (150) on the axle (11) actuated by the chain (14) and a support (16) providing the chain (14) to be seated on the gear (150) without losing ite tautness and preventing ite displacement.

[0011] A dryer (1) as in Claim 10, characterized by a flow regulator (5) comprising a support (16) having one or more wheels (17) providing the movement of the chain (14), a leg (18) on which the wheels (17) are situated, at least one spring (23) in the leg (18) for pressing of the wheels (17) onto the chain (14) and a body (19) fixing the legs (18) on the dryer (1).

[0012] A dryer (1) as in Claim 11, characterized by a control card (4) providing to control the motor (13).

[0013] A dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a flow regulator

(5) comprising a flow regulator fan (20) that provides the aspiration of the cooling air into the channel (8).

[0014] A dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a nozzle (21) providing the condenser fan (4) to direct the cooling air to the condenser (3) and a guide (22) providing the re-aspiration of the cooling air in the channel (8) by the condenser fan (4) to be directed to the condenser (3).