DE102009045470A1 - Condensate dryer for drying laundry using gaseous medium i.e. air, has switching device for switching-on or off pump device, where sensor device is designed as floating body and directly acts on switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (100) has a cooling device (200) for cooling gaseous medium i.e. air, up to precipitation of condensate (K) from the medium. A container (120) collects the precipitated condensate. A sensor device (130a) detects an amount of the condensate in the container in the form of a water level. A pump device (140) pumps down the condensate from the container. A switching device (130b) is provided to switch on or off the pump device according to a measure of the detected amount of the condensate. The sensor device is designed as a floating body and directly acts on the switching device. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for drying gaseous medium i.e. air (2) a computer program comprising a set of instructions to perform a method for drying gaseous medium i.e. air.

Description

The Invention relates to a device, in particular tumble dryer, for drying a gaseous medium, in particular air, comprising: a cooling device for cooling the Medium until the precipitation of condensate from the medium; a container for collecting the precipitated condensate; a heating device for heating the medium after the condensate has precipitated out; a sensor device for detecting an amount of the condensate, preferably in the form of its level, in the container; a pumping device for pumping the condensate from the container; and a switching device for switching on or off of the pumping device according to the quantity recorded. The invention relates Furthermore, a method and a computer program for operating a such device.

Especially the invention relates to a condensation dryer or Tumble dryer, which is designed to process air as gaseous medium when drying laundry moisture to withdraw, wherein the moisture to be withdrawn from the medium that which is the medium of moist laundry, on which it was taken over.

An initially defined device is known from the prior art. Such is from the German patent specification DE 43 33 901 C2 a clothes dryer is known, which has a condenser block as a cooling device for condensing moisture contained in the process air for drying laundry. For collecting the condensate water which precipitates during the condensation process, the tumble dryer comprises a collecting container. Associated with the collecting container is a float for detecting the liquid level of the condensed water in the collecting container. If the liquid level reaches a predetermined level, then a pump is turned on to suck the condensed water from the collecting container. The patent teaches to deliver the condensed water pumped out of the collecting container to a showering or spraying device of a circulation system, wherein the showering or spraying device serves to wet the surfaces of the condenser block as evenly as possible with moisture. The patent does not give any indication of how the pump is switched on or off depending on the liquid level of the condensed water in the collecting container. For this purpose, an electronic control device with, in particular, at least one relay could be provided for switching the pump on or off as a function of the fluid level in the collecting container represented by the float.

Furthermore, from the DE 36 24 400 A1 and DE 43 00 694 A1 Controllers for a pump for conveying condensate in a tumble dryer known.

From the EP 1 816 252 A1 shows an arrangement for drying a gaseous medium, which has a condensate container and moreover comprises a sensor system having a designed as a non-contact switch sensor and influenced by this control means for controlling a drying program and for switching on and off an acoustic or visual attention signal , Such attention signal is generated to a corresponding signal from the sensor only with a predetermined delay, this time delay is intended to allow the temperature of the medium to decrease when the heater is off, so that it absorbs less moisture from the laundry to be dried, and further failure from condensate from the medium to stop.

outgoing from this prior art, the invention is the object of Basically, a device of the type defined above as well a method and a computer program for operating the device in such a way that the switching on or off of the pumping device easier and cheaper possible.

These Task is performed by the device, the method of drying a gaseous medium and by a computer program for performing this method and for operating the device according to the respective independent claim solved.

preferred Further developments are in particular dependent on objects Claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention according to each category are preferred Developments of the invention of the other categories, and this too then, if not explicitly indicated herein in a particular case is.

Accordingly, the device according to the invention, in particular a tumble dryer, for drying a gaseous medium, in particular air, comprises the following components: a cooling device for cooling the medium until condensate precipitates out of the medium; a container for collecting the precipitated condensate; a heater for heating the medium after the condensate has precipitated; a sensor device for detecting an amount of the condensate, preferably in the form of its level, in the container; a pumping device for pumping the condensate from the container; and a switch direction to turn on or off the pumping device in accordance with the detected amount; wherein the sensor device is designed for direct action on the switching device.

According to the invention Accordingly, an immediate effect of the sensor device on the switching device for switching the pumping device, without further components the device, in particular a control device, interposed are. Due to this direct impact, a corresponding Functionality of the usual in the art Control device for switching on or off the pump device in accordance with the current amount of condensate or account of the current level level. In addition to a corresponding Simplification of the computer program to be stored in the control device This also means a reduction in the number of the control device to be provided connections and associated contacts, lines and the same.

at a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is provided that the sensor device and the switching device integrated together are designed as float switches. In a realization in Shape of the float switch, the construction volume is minimal and also the control of the switching device by as a float trained sensor device is due to the integration-related spatial proximity particularly simple and inexpensive realizable. Even further preferred is a further development formed of the float of the float switch is a force representing the level of the condensate, directly on the switching device exercise, and the Switching device is formed, the pumping device in accordance with this Power on or off. This makes the float switch special simple, inexpensive and reliable trained.

Preferably the float switch is formed, the pumping device in response to the level according to a predetermined hysteresis to switch.

Preferably the switching device is switched so that either either the heating device or the pumping device to a power supply invests. The heating device and the pumping device are over the switching device connected in parallel to each other. You can so activated in particular at a single common connection and deactivated, for example, by a controller can be done. Provided that the operation of the heater necessary for the emergence of moisture in the too drying medium is (this is in a dryer, in particular a tumble dryer, always the case), results in a alternating operation of heater and switching device. Assuming that initially no condensate in the device is present, the heater is first operated. It heats up the medium so that it absorbs moisture - for example from damp laundry - what this moisture in the device by cooling the medium as condensate a is obtained in the corresponding container. is the container filled high enough, so speak the sensor device and the switching device, and instead of the heater is the pumping device turned on. The pumping device emptied the container, whereupon the switching device again the heater instead of the pumping device turns on and the cycle starts again.

The Parallel connection of heater and pumping device requires However, that this parallel circuit for introducing a predetermined Heat energy in the medium operated a little longer must be considered that time interval, which at a given thermal Power of the heater would be required. The extension corresponds to a sum of those time intervals, while which operated not the heater, but the pumping device becomes. It can be done in many cases, for example in the case of the tumble dryer, out of the amount of one intended use of the device as a whole the medium to be removed moisture, the capacity of Container and the pumping capacity of the pumping device anyway determine with good accuracy.

The described parallel connection of heater and pumping device must be found to be excessive Do not obstruct or prevent the amount of condensate in the device: For example, if a controller means the parallel connection activated and after the expiry of a predetermined time no Heat development in the heater results (this could by means of a corresponding temperature sensor as a temperature increase be established), it means that the switching device by the action of the sensor device continuously the pumping device turns on, from which it immediately follows that the container is constantly filled and not emptied by the pumping device can be. This occurs, for example, in a tumble dryer a, having a removable collecting container, in which during a whole drying process accumulating condensate is collected, and the one overflow which has overly existing ones Condensate flows back to the former container. Then, by means of a corresponding attention signal a Users of the device are alerted accordingly.

In a preferred in this sense development of the invention Device are accordingly a temperature sensor device for Generating a temperature signal showing the course of the temperature represented at the heater, and a control device for evaluating the temperature signal and a heating signal, which the activity of the heater or the pumping device represents, and to detect an excessive Amount of condensate if for a predetermined period of time the temperature at the heater a predetermined limit temperature does not exceed, although the heating signal is an activity indicates. This can be an excessive Quantity of condensate can be given by being one of the device allocated storage capacity or threatens to exceed as explained in the previous paragraph, or that an excessive Accumulation of condensate happens, which only by appropriate undesirably long time intervals during which the pumping device is turned on, can be met.

It is further preferred that in particular an operator of the Device with the aid of a warning device over a detected excessive amount is informed of condensate in particular visually or acoustically.

For repeated measurements to detect condensation is it is preferable to provide a memory device for storing various measurement parameters, such as the number of checks a temperature gradient during the checks each transmitted slope of the temperature gradient and / or the respective durations of the measurements to these measurement parameters to use for later formation of condensate and if necessary easy to vary.

The Advantages of the solutions according to the invention with regard to the method and the computer program the above mentioned in particular with reference to the device Benefits.

The inventive method for drying a gaseous medium, in particular air, accordingly comprises the steps: cooling the medium until it fails Condensate from the medium; Collecting the precipitated condensate; To capture each currently failed amount of condensate using a sensor device; Heating the medium; and a- or switching off a pumping device for pumping out the condensate in accordance with the quantity detected by the sensor device by means of a switching device; wherein the sensor device directly acting on the switching device.

In the computer program according to the invention, which can be stored in particular in a control device, computer program with a program code for a control device ( 160 ) a device ( 100 Accordingly, the program code is embodied for carrying out a method for drying a gaseous medium, in particular air, comprising the steps of cooling the medium until condensate precipitates out of the medium; Collecting the precipitated condensate; Detecting a respective currently failed amount of the condensate by means of a sensor device; Heating the medium; and switching on or off a pumping device for pumping out the condensate in accordance with the amount detected by the sensor device by means of a switching device; wherein the sensor device acts directly on the switching device.

preferred Embodiments of the invention are described below Referring to the figures of the accompanying drawings in detail described and explained. Illustrate in this drawing the

1 an apparatus for drying a gaseous medium;

2 a hysteresis; and

3 a clothes dryer including a device for drying a gaseous medium.

1 illustrates the structure of the device 100 for drying a gaseous medium. This device 100 may in particular belong to a condensation dryer or a tumble dryer. Through the device 100 circulates a gaseous medium, usually process air, especially for drying laundry (see also 3 ). The device comprises a heating device 110 for heating and a cooling device 200 for cooling the medium, and also a container 120 for collecting condensate K, which during cooling of the medium in the cooling device 200 fails from the medium. The condensate K typically represents the previously absorbed by the air from the laundry and transported away by this moisture. The heater 110 is in particular an electric or powered by burning a fuel such as heating gas heater 110 , the cooling device 200 a heat exchanger in which the medium gives off heat to an open-circuited flow of cooling air. The heater 110 and the cooling device 200 could also be combined as a heat source or as a heat sink in a heat pump.

Furthermore, the device comprises 100 a sensor device 130a for detecting the level of the condensate K in the container 120 and a pumping device 140 for pumping the condensate K from the container 120 when the pumping device 140 is turned on. To turn the pumping device on or off 140 includes the device 100 furthermore a switching device 130b , The sensor device 130a is designed to be directly on the switching device 130b acts. In this way, the pumping device 140 directly as a function of the current level of the condensate K in the collecting container 120 on or off. So if more condensate K accumulates during a drying process than the container 120 can absorb (which in some clothes dryer, where the container 120 usually a part of a floor group and has only a limited capacity, is quite the rule, cf. also 3 ), then the pumping device provides 140 together with the float switch 130 making sure that the condensate K is out of the container 120 Will get removed. Where the condensate K from the pumping device 140 is initially not essential. The goal could be in particular a sewer system or another storage tank, see also 3 ,

Specifically, the mentioned direct action of the sensor device 130a on the switching device 130b realized in that the sensor device 130a and the switching device 130b integrated together as a float switch 130 are formed, wherein the sensor device 130a as a float 130a acts. The float 130a is designed so that it has a force directly on the switching device 130b exerts, wherein the size of the force represents the respective level. The switching device 130b switches the pumping device 140 in particular the amount of the exercised force on or off. Well, the device has 100 a control device 160 , designed in particular as a memory-programmed controller 160 , which have a single signal ("heating signal") H and a separate switch 300 , here as a relay 300 formed by the switching device 130b parallel connection of the heater 110 and the pumping device 140 activates and activates; on the switching device 130b but has the controller 160 no influence. The switching device 130b is designed as a switch, which either the heater 110 or the pumping device 140 turns on, that is via the relay 300 to a voltage supply device with the potentials L and N.

2 illustrates the switching behavior of the float switch 130 ; it is represented by the hysteresis shown there. Upon reaching a predetermined upper turn-on level P _{2 of} the condensate K in the container 120 the float switch switches 130 from the switch position 0 to the switch position 1. This is synonymous with a shutdown of the heater 110 and turning on the pumping device 140 between the supply voltage potentials L and N. Even if the level P of the condensate in the container 120 also rises above the upper switch-on level, the pump device remains 140 on and the heater 110 switched off. If the level P then drops again over time, then a renewed switching takes place, that is, a switching off of the pumping device 140 from the supply voltage and a connection of the heater 110 to the supply voltage not even when the level back to the upper threshold P ₂ , but only when the level has dropped to a lower lower threshold P ₁ . If the level of the condensate then still fall further, possibly even so far that the container 120 becomes completely empty, so remains the float switch 130 nevertheless in its again switched position. Only then, when the level of the condensate has again reached the upper threshold P ₂ , a new switching takes place, and it begins a new run through the hysteresis loop just described in the arrow direction.

The device 100 is designed to detect the precipitation of condensate K from the moisture-enriched medium in an excess, although the control device 160 no direct contact with the pumping device 140 or to the switching device 130b Has. For this purpose, the heater 110 a temperature sensor device 150 , in particular a temperature-variable resistor 150 , For example, a resistor with a negative temperature coefficient (NTC resistance), assigned, the current resistance of each of which is currently from the heater 110 represents generated heat. A temperature signal T representing this heat is generated by the NTC and by the controller 160 received and evaluated. In addition, evaluates the controller 160 the heating signal H off, which indicates whether the parallel circuit of heating 110 and pumping device 140 currently active, that is switched on, is or is not.

An excessive amount of condensate K then accumulates when the pumping device 140 too often or permanently active. But if this is the case, it means that the heater is rarely or not in operation. But then the temperature sensor device 150 a comparatively low temperature on the heater 110 measure up. Accordingly, it is then closed on the occurrence of an excessive amount of condensate when the temperature at the heater 110 does not exceed a predetermined limit temperature, although according to the heating signal H, the parallel circuit of heating 110 and pumping device 140 currently active. In this case, that is, when detected formation of condensate K in excess, the controller activates 160 an example optically or acoustically operating warning device 170 for informing an operator of the device of the detected excessive formation of condensate K.

A deactivation of the heater 110 for a given heating signal H is not only about the float switch 130 but also for example using a in 1 not shown temperature safety switch possible, which the heater 110 switches off in the event of impending overheating. In such a case - at least when using the device 100 in a tumble dryer, which is considered to be preferred in the present case - the process of absorbing moisture through the medium is interrupted since this requires prior heating of the medium. In any case, no precipitation of condensate K can take place in an excessive amount in such a case. However, as soon as the heater 110 is reactivated at a later time, the precipitation of condensate K can be checked in excess again according to the described method.

For documentation purposes, but also for the simplified variation of future measurements of the formation of condensate K, it is advantageous that the control device 160 to a storage device 180 in which various measurement parameters, for example the number of checks of the temperature gradient, the slope of the gradient and / or the time duration of the measurement of the temperature gradient in individual measurements are stored in the past. The control device 160 is preferably as a microcontroller and the memory device 180 designed as EEPROM. It also includes a computer program which describes the components of the device 100 as described controls or evaluates the signals obtained from them as described.

Out 3 results in the integration of the components of the device 100 in a tumble dryer, here schematically as a classic condensation dryer, in which circulates the process air, which is the presently to be dehumidified medium, in a more substantially closed circuit. A self-contained process air duct 210 connects the heater 110 and the cooling device 200 with a fan 220 , which drives the process air through the process air duct, and a drum 230 which is rotatable and the items to be dried 240 receives.

The control device 160 controls a drive of the drum in a known manner not shown here 230 and a drive of the fan 220 (where the drum 230 and the fan 220 optionally be driven by a single drive). By means of a signal H, it also controls the parallel connection from the heating device 110 and the pumping device 140 , wherein the pumping device 140 for pumping the in the cooling device 220 incurred and in the container 120 collected condensate K is used. It will replace the heater 110 through the switching device 130b turned on when the sensor device 130a as previously explained pretends.

The pumping device 140 conveys the condensate K from the container 120 through a conveyor line 250 in a storage tank 260 , This has sufficient capacity to condensate all during a drying process the laundry items 240 Absorb removed moisture, and it can be easily removed by a simple user from the dryer, so that the condensate K can be disposed of. Nevertheless, an overflow of the storage container 260 to exclude him is an overflow 270 assigned, by which condensate K, which is the storage container 260 can no longer absorb, back to the cooling device 200 and finally back to the container 120 can run. When this happens, then the pumping device 140 permanently on and the heater 110 be permanently off. This case becomes the control device 160 using the temperature sensor device 150 obtained temperature signal T as described and in addition to other measures (in an extreme case, a termination of the drying process) inform a user by a corresponding attention signal.

The self-contained process air duct 210 is not a necessary condition in the present case. It is also an open process air duct 210 conceivable, in which by means of the blower 220 sucked process air first by the heater 110 , then through the drum 230 and finally through the cooler 200 to be led. This would correspond to the process air flow 210 an exhaust air dryer.

Nor does the heater need 110 an electric or combustion powered heater 110 or the cooling device 200 a heat exchanger 200 be in which the heat extracted from the medium lost to cooling air or the like.

Rather, the heater can 110 and the cooling device 200 be united in a heat pump. In such a case by means of the heating signal H and the switching device 130b the heater 110 controlled in such a way that the entire heat pump would be controlled. On the function of the device described herein 100 but this would have no fundamentally changed influence; All advantages described herein are retained.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 4333901 C2 [0003]
• - DE 3624400 A1 [0004]
• - DE 4300694 A1 [0004]
• EP 1816252 A1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Contraption ( 100 ), in particular a tumble dryer, for drying a gaseous medium, in particular air, comprising: a cooling device ( 200 ) for cooling the medium until precipitation of condensate from the medium; a container ( 120 ) for collecting the precipitated condensate (K); a heating device ( 110 ) for heating the medium after the precipitation of the condensate (K); a sensor device ( 130a ) for detecting an amount of the condensate (K), preferably in the form of its level, in the container ( 120 ); a pumping device ( 140 ) for pumping the condensate from the container ( 120 ); and a switching device ( 130b ) for switching the pumping device on or off ( 140 ) according to the quantity recorded; characterized in that the sensor device ( 130a ) is designed for direct action on the switching device ( 130b ). Contraption ( 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor device ( 130a ) and the switching device ( 130b ) integrated together as a float switch ( 130 ) are formed, wherein the sensor device ( 130a ) as a floating body ( 130a ) is trained. Contraption ( 100 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the float ( 130a ) is formed to a force which represents the level of the condensate (K), directly on the switching device ( 130b ), and the switching device ( 130b ) is formed, the pumping device ( 140 ) in accordance with this force on or off. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the float switch ( 130 ) is adapted to the pumping device ( 140 ) in response to the level in accordance with a predetermined hysteresis. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching device ( 130b ) is switched so that it either either the heating device ( 110 ) or the pumping device ( 140 ) to a power supply (L, N). Contraption ( 100 ) according to claim 5, characterized by a temperature sensor device ( 150 ) for generating a temperature signal (T), which the course of the temperature at the heating device ( 110 represents; and a control device ( 160 ) for evaluating the temperature signal (T) and a heating signal (H), which determines the activity of the heating device ( 110 ) or the pumping device ( 140 ) and for detecting an excessive amount of condensate (K) when, during a predetermined period of time, the temperature at the heating device ( 110 ) does not exceed a predetermined limit temperature, although the heating signal (H) indicates an activity. Contraption ( 100 ) according to claim 6, characterized by one of the control device ( 160 ) in response to a detected failure of condensate (K) controlled warning device ( 170 ). Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized by a memory device ( 180 ) for storing various measurement parameters, such. B. the number of checks of the temperature gradient, the respectively determined gradient of the temperature gradient and / or the respective durations of the measurements, and for providing the measurement parameters for the control device ( 160 ). Method for drying a gaseous medium, in particular air, comprising the steps of: cooling the medium until condensate (K) precipitates out of the medium; Collecting the precipitated condensate (K); Detecting a respective currently failed amount of condensate (K) by means of a sensor device ( 130a ); Heating the medium; and switching on or off a pump device ( 140 ) for pumping out the condensate (K) in accordance with the of the sensor device ( 130a ) detected quantity by means of a switching device ( 130b ); characterized in that the sensor device ( 130a ) directly on the switching device ( 130b ) acts. Computer program with a program code for a control device ( 160 ) a device ( 100 ) for drying a medium, characterized in that the program code is adapted to carry out a process for drying a gaseous medium, in particular air, comprising the steps of: cooling the medium until condensate (K) precipitates out of the medium; Collecting the precipitated condensate (K); Detecting a respective currently failed amount of condensate (K) by means of a sensor device ( 130a ); Heating the medium; and switching on or off a pump device ( 140 ) for pumping out the condensate (K) in accordance with the of the sensor device ( 130a ) detected quantity by means of a switching device ( 130b ); characterized in that the sensor device ( 130a ) directly on the switching device ( 130b ) one acts.