WO2024223280A1

WO2024223280A1 - Laundry treatment cabinet having a device for treating the process air

Info

Publication number: WO2024223280A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/059540
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfons Eblenkamp; Jürgen Herrmann; Moritz Kleinhans; Jörg Kramme; Felix Schäfer
Original assignee: Miele & Cie. Kg
Priority date: 2023-04-26
Filing date: 2024-04-09
Publication date: 2024-10-31

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry treatment cabinet (1) comprising: - a housing (2); - at least one interior space (3) for receiving laundry (9), with an access opening (4) that can be closed by means of a door (5) and with an inlet opening (81) for letting process air (P) in and an outlet opening (82) for letting process air (P) out; - a heat pump assembly (8) for producing process air (P) and conveying process air (P) through the interior (3), said heat pump assembly being mounted in the bottom region of the cabinet (1), below the interior space (3); - a control unit (18, uC) for activating and deactivating the assembly (8) for producing the process air (P). The laundry treatment cabinet (1) also comprises a device (50) for treating the process air (P), the device (50) comprising a reactor region (51) with a means (54, 62) mounted therein for ionizing the air or the particles contained in the air (P).

Description

Laundry treatment cabinet with a device for treating the process air

The invention relates to a laundry treatment cabinet comprising

- a housing;

- at least one interior space for accommodating laundry with an access opening closable by means of a door and an inlet opening for admitting process air and an outlet opening for discharging process air;

- a unit for generating process air or conveying process air through the interior, which is installed in the floor area of the cabinet, below the interior, with

- a module housing comprising a channel section in which a heat exchanger arrangement with a condenser as a heating device and an evaporator as a condensing device is arranged;

- a compressor with connecting lines to the heat exchanger arrangement;

- a fan for conveying process air through the duct section with the heat exchanger arrangement, further comprising

- a first pipe for connecting the duct section to the air inlet and a second pipe for connecting the duct section to the air outlet of the interior;

- a control device for activating and deactivating the unit for generating the process air.

EP 2267213 A1 discloses a laundry treatment cabinet with a device for treating the process air, wherein the device comprises a treatment chamber and a flow generator for conveying the air through the treatment chamber in which the air is treated photocatalytically. This treatment is carried out using an excitation light permanently, i.e. continuously during operation of the process air blower.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a laundry treatment cabinet which provides improved and needs-based treatment of the laundry in a simple manner.

According to the invention, at least this object is achieved by a storage cupboard with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims. The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are that the process air can be conditioned in a simple manner as required. In particular, the treatment cabinet proposed here can reliably and effectively dry, smooth and evenly apply a treatment agent to the laundry items to be treated. The particular advantage here is that the laundry items are conditioned during treatment with the process air, so that the conditioning does not require any additional treatment time. For this purpose, the laundry treatment cabinet comprises a device for treating the process air, wherein the device comprises a reactor area with a means installed therein for ionizing the air molecules or particles contained in the air. The process air or the particles contained therein become more aggressive as a result, so that they react more intensively with the textiles, for example removing odors or allowing water molecules from the residual moisture to penetrate the textiles to reduce creases or freshen them up.

The unit is located in the floor area of the cabinet, below the interior. This means that the process air is let into the interior from below and extracted, with a circulation of the process air being provided within the interior, which flows through the entire interior or at least reaches almost the entire interior. The laundry in the interior is thus reached by the process air and dried or conditioned accordingly, for example with steam or a treatment agent.

The treatment cabinet is equipped with a device for treating the process air in order to ionize a portion of the process air flowing through the first pipe or to generate plasma and to feed this into the process air within the first pipe. The plasma can be distributed or mixed in the first pipe and is conveyed into the interior by means of the process air flowing through the first pipe. Since the treatment device is connected downstream of the heat exchangers of the unit, it is ensured that the plasma has the optimum effect because there are no resistances in the flow path for the air molecules that would reduce the activity of the plasma due to discharge.

In a practical embodiment, the device for air treatment is designed in such a way that it comprises a cylindrical body as an outer electrode with an inner electrode located therein and arranged coaxially. There is a distance between the inner electrode and the outer electrode, which forms the reactor area in the axial extension of the hollow cylinder in order to allow process air to flow through the reactor area, whereby when the device is activated, an ionization of the air located between the electrodes Process air is used. Process air can also be considered to be a fluid that is gaseous or mist-like.

For all embodiments of the device, it is expedient that the cylindrical body preferably has a diameter in the range of 1 cm to 3 cm and a length in the range of 4 cm to 20 cm and the distance between the outer electrode and the inner electrode has a value in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

In a practical further development, the shell of the cylinder of the outer electrode is designed as a grid network. This allows the fluid to diffuse into the reactor area and diffuse out again as plasma.

In an overall practical design, the cylindrical hollow body with the inner electrode located therein is mounted axially lengthwise in the direction of flow in the first pipe. This has little effect on the flow of the process air within the first pipe, while a sufficiently large reactor area is provided for ionization.

Furthermore, a steam generator can be provided in the cabinet to let steam into the interior, which in turn can act on the laundry. The activity of the steam generator is preferably controlled by the control device. The steam can be let into the first pipe using a steam pipe, where it is mixed with the process air. Alternatively, the steam can be introduced directly into the interior using the steam pipe and a nozzle. In a preferred embodiment, the steam generator is designed such that the steam pipe opens behind the device for process air treatment in the direction of flow. The steam pipe can include a nozzle at its outlet end or is designed as a nozzle.

In an overall practical embodiment, the control device is further configured to activate and deactivate the air treatment device, also referred to as a plasma generator, depending on or independently of the control of the unit. For this purpose, the control device can be designed and programmed to activate and deactivate the plasma generator based on a predetermined time sequence. This means that the activation times for the plasma generator are specified based on a predetermined schedule, so that the plasma generator is only active at certain times. This saves energy because the device is always inactive when no conditioning or no plasma is required in the process air.

Preferably, the control device is further configured to activate and deactivate the steam generator. For this purpose, the control device can be designed and programmed to activate and deactivate the steam generator based on a predetermined time sequence. This means that the activation times for the steam generator are set according to a predetermined schedule, so that the

Steam generator is only active at certain times.

In a practical embodiment, the first pipe is designed and arranged in such a way that it extends from the underside of the interior approximately vertically to the rear of the interior to a height of one quarter to 7/8 of the full height of the interior, with the inlet to the interior or treatment room being arranged in the upper area of the first pipe. The process air is thus let in at a medium height in the interior, so that the laundry items are quickly and evenly exposed to the conditioned process air.

In another, generally practical design, the first pipe has an approximately rectangular cross-section in the vertical section and lies flat behind the rear wall of the interior. This provides a space-saving arrangement for the first pipe because it is located flat between the rear wall of the interior and the outer boundary of the device housing.

In a preferred development, the first tube is designed such that the rectangular cross-section extends with its long side in an area of the interior that corresponds to approximately 50% to 100% of the width of the interior. A large proportion of the width of the interior is thus used to provide the cross-section for the first tube.

In a further embodiment, the first tube is designed such that the short side of the rectangular cross-section has a length in the range of 2 cm to 12 cm, preferably 3 cm to 8 cm.

In an overall practical design, the air inlet is arranged at a vertical and horizontal distance from the air outlet, preferably in the rear area of the interior, with the air outlet being arranged in the front area or in the middle area on the underside of the interior. Due to the aforementioned spaced arrangement of the openings for the process air, it is ensured that the process air flow reaches the interior and the textiles located therein completely and at least almost homogeneously. A so-called fluidic short circuit, in which the process air flow entering the interior is diverted directly to a nearby outlet without it reaching the laundry items, is avoided or prevented.

Overall, all position and direction information refers to the correct operational installation position of the laundry treatment cabinet. An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below.

Fig. 1: a laundry treatment cabinet with a view into the interior in a perspective front view;

Fig. 2: Example of a sketched, sectioned side view of the

laundry cabinet;

Fig. 3: the module with control in a schematic view and

Fig. 4: the plasma module outlined in a preferred embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a laundry treatment cabinet 1 with the door 5 open, viewed diagonally from above, in which the interior 3 is visible. The laundry treatment cabinet 1 in this example is a drying cabinet, comprising a housing 2, in the interior 3 of which there are means 91 for hanging up laundry 9. The laundry treatment cabinet 1 comprises a heat pump unit 8 inside the housing 2 for providing and conveying the process air, which is let into the interior 3 through the inlet opening 81 and conveyed from the interior 3 to the unit 8 through the outlet opening 82. The unit 8 is arranged in the lower region 22 of the housing 2 in this example. The front side of the door 5 is opaque in this illustration, but it can be transparent so that it can be seen in the closed position. The laundry treatment cabinet further comprises a control device 18, which preferably comprises a microcontroller uC with an associated memory MEM in order to control or activate and deactivate the unit 8 according to the program stored in the memory MEM (FIG. 3).

The channel 95 or the first tube 95 is flat and has an approximately rectangular cross-section SQ.

In a preferred embodiment, the laundry treatment cabinet 1 further comprises a device 40 for air circulation in the interior 3 in the upper area of the device 1.

Fig. 2 shows the laundry treatment cabinet 1 in a schematic sectional view with the door 5 closed during operation. The heat pump unit 8 for generating the process air P is located in the bottom area 22 of the housing 2. The unit 8 comprises a heat pump circuit with a cooling heat exchanger 86 (evaporator), a heating heat exchanger 84 (condenser) and a compressor 85 to convey the coolant contained in the heat pump circuit through the individual components. The air flow of the process air P is generated by means of the process air blower 87, which passes through the outlet 82 to the cooling heat exchanger 86 and is dehumidified there. The dry, cool air then reaches the heating heat exchanger 84, which it heated. Further downstream is the process air blower 87, which conveys the now dried and heated process air through the inlet 81 into the interior 3. It can also be seen that the inlet 81 is arranged in the rear wall 32 of the interior 3. The outlet 82 is located away from the inlet 81 and in the floor 31 close to the door 5 or the access opening 4. This creates an air flow P that reaches the entire interior 3.

In an advantageous further development, the laundry treatment cabinet 1 comprises a steam generator 88. This can also be activated and deactivated by means of the control device 18 in order to supply steam to the interior 3 or to the process air P. In the outlined embodiment, a steam pipe 89 is provided which guides the steam from the steam generator 88 into the first pipe 95 and ends therein. The steam admitted into the first pipe 95 is mixed in the pipe 95 with the process air flow P, so that the process air P mixed with steam passes from the inlet 81 into the treatment room 3.

In the upper area of the housing 2 above the interior 3 there is a device 40 for air circulation. This comprises a channel 44 and a fan 45 for conveying the air F from the interior 3 through the channel 44. The fan 45 is switched on and off by means of the control device 18, depending on the specifications programmed or set by the user. The air F reaches the channel 44 through the outlet 42, with the treated air F being blown through the inlet 41 from the channel 44 into the interior 3. In the example outlined, the air F is blown into or through the clothes hangers 91 to the items of laundry 9 hanging on them. A filter element 43 is arranged at the outlet 42 in order to separate lint from the air flow F of the circulation.

The first pipe 95 extends in the rear, lower area of the interior 3 and is arranged flat behind the rear wall 32. This pipe 95 is provided with a device 50 for process air treatment in order to release ionized fluid or plasma in a metered manner within the first pipe 95. The first pipe 95 represents the connecting channel between the base channel 80 containing the heat exchangers 84, 86 and the inlet 81.

Fig. 3 shows, by way of example, in detail the installation location for the plasma generator 50 designed as a module. The module 50 comprises a reactor area 51 in which means are arranged to generate plasma by ionizing the fluid P flowing through or the particles and molecules contained in the fluid or the molecules forming the fluid. The module 50 has an outer electrode designed as a hollow body 54 and an inner electrode 62 arranged within the hollow body 54. The hollow body 54 is designed as a grid so that the hollow body 54 is permeable to the fluid F flowing past. The fluid F located between the inner electrode 62 and the grid 62 is ionized when the plasma generator 50 is activated. For this purpose, a direct voltage is applied between the electrodes 54, 62, preferably a low voltage to medium voltage, possibly up to high voltage.

Fig. 3 also shows the steam generator 88, in which steam S can be or is generated from stored or supplied water. The steam is introduced into the interior of the first tube 95 by means of the steam pipe 89. The end or the outlet nozzle 90 is arranged above the outlet openings 52 for the plasma.

The arrangement of the cold plasma generator 50 in the above-mentioned position below the steam outlet 90 means that it is not directly steamed. Ideally, the plasma is generated and then transported with the steam S into the treatment room 3. This creates "activated steam". The highly reactive OH groups are encapsulated in the water droplets of the steam, survive longer and can thus work more effectively on the laundry 9.

Fig. 3 also shows a schematic of the control device 18. The control device 8 has a microcontroller uC and a memory MEM which interacts with the microcontroller and in which the programs and parameters for controlling the actuators, such as the blower 51, 87 and/or heat pump 85 in the laundry treatment cabinet 1 are stored. The control device is also designed to activate and deactivate the plasma module 50 and, if necessary, the steam generator 88. The operating device 19 is connected to the control device 18 or the microcontroller uC by means of the data line 17. The user can use the operating device to make inputs for parameterizing and setting the treatment process, including the activation times for the plasma module and, if necessary, the steam generator 88.

Fig. 4 shows schematically the device 50 for process air treatment, also called a plasma generator, in a schematic, perspective individual view. The outer jacket 54 forms the outer electrode, with the coaxially arranged, cylindrical body 62 serving as the inner electrode. Both electrodes 54, 62 are made of electrically conductive material, for example a metal or graphite. The coaxial arrangement of the electrodes 54, 62 ensures an at least almost uniform electrical field between the electrodes 62 when the electrodes are subjected to an electrical voltage. Fig. 4 also shows the voltage source 64, which provides a suitable voltage for plasma generation. The switch 66 symbolizes that, for example, the voltage is switched on to the electrodes by means of the control device 18. The process air P located or flowing in the reactor area 51 between the electrodes 54, 62 is converted to cold plasma due to the ionization of the atoms located therein. In the situation shown, switch 66 is closed, so that the Voltage source 64 is connected to the electrodes 54, 62. The plasma generator 50 is therefore activated.

Claims

patent claims

1. Laundry treatment cabinet (1), comprising

- a housing (2);

- at least one interior space (3) for receiving laundry (9) with an access opening (4) that can be closed by means of a door (5) and an inlet opening (81) for letting in process air (P) and an outlet opening (82) for letting out process air (P);

- a unit (8) for generating process air (P) or conveying process air (P) through the interior (3), which is mounted in the floor area of the cabinet (1), below the interior (3), with

- a module housing (80) comprising a channel section (83) in which a heat exchanger arrangement with a condenser (84) as a heating device and an evaporator (86) as a condensing device is arranged;

- a compressor (85) with connecting lines to the heat exchanger arrangement (84, 86);

- a fan (87) for conveying process air (P) through the channel section (83) with the heat exchanger arrangement (84, 86), further comprising

- a first pipe (95) for connecting the duct section (83) to the air inlet (81) and a second pipe (96) for connecting the duct section (83) to the air outlet (82) of the interior space (3);

- a control device (18, µC) for activating and deactivating the unit (8) for generating the process air (P), characterized by a device (50) for treating the process air (P), wherein the device (50) comprises a reactor region (51) with a means (54, 62) mounted therein for ionizing the air or the particles contained in the air (P).

2. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to claim 1, wherein the device (50) is arranged in the first tube (95) between the heat exchanger (84) and the inlet opening (81).

3. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device (50) comprises a cylindrical body (54) as an outer electrode with an inner electrode (62) located therein and arranged coaxially, wherein there is a distance between the inner electrode (62) and the outer electrode (54), which forms the reactor region (51) in order to allow process air (P) to flow through the reactor region (51), wherein upon activation of the device (50) an ionization of the process air (P) located between the electrodes (54, 62) is brought about.

4. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to claim 3, wherein the cylindrical body (54) has a diameter in the range of 1 cm to 3 cm and a length in the range of 4 cm to 20 cm and the distance between the outer electrode (54) and the inner electrode (62) has a value in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

5. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the jacket of the cylinder (54) or the outer electrode (54) is designed as a grid network.

6. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the cylindrical hollow body (54) with the inner electrode (62) located therein is mounted axially longitudinally in flow in the first tube (95).

7. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a steam generator (88) which is designed to admit steam (S) into the first pipe (95) or directly into the interior (3).

8. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to claim 7, wherein the steam generator (88) comprises a steam pipe (89) whose opening (90) for discharging steam (S) is arranged behind the device (50) for treating the process air (P), relative to the flow direction of the process air (P).

9. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control device (18, µC) is further configured to activate and deactivate the device (50) for air treatment.

10. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control device (18, µC) is further configured to activate and deactivate the steam generator (88).

11. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first tube (95) has an approximately rectangular cross-section (SQ) in the vertical section and lies flat behind the rear wall of the (32) interior space (3).

12. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to claim 11, wherein the first tube (95) is designed such that the rectangular cross-section (SQ) extends with its longitudinal side in a region of the interior (3) which corresponds approximately to 50% to 100% of the width of the interior (3).

13. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first tube (95) is designed such that the short side of the rectangular cross-section (SQ) has a length with a dimension in the range of 2 cm to 12 cm, preferably 3 cm to 8 cm.

14. Laundry treatment cabinet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the air inlet (81) is arranged at a vertical and horizontal distance from the air outlet (82), preferably in the rear area of the interior (3), wherein the air outlet (82) is arranged in the front area or in the middle area in the floor (31) of the interior (3).