EP1294975B1 - Method and device for the non-iron drying of damp material in particular damp laundry - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention describes a method for the drying of a damp material (2), whereby the material (2) is treated in a treatment chamber (15) of a drying cabinet (1) in a mechanically immobile condition, in which air (10) is directed through the treatment chamber (15) and over a condenser (13) and the moisture in the air (10) can condense at the condenser (13) and be led away. The air (10) is led about the material (2) for drying at least during a period of the drying of the material (2) in a closed loop through the treatment chamber (15) in which the material (2) at increasing temperature in the treatment chamber (15) is exposed to steam or increased humidity generated at least partly from the dampness of the material (2) or the increased humidity of the air (10) circulating around and is relaxed and smoothed by the steam or the increased humidity in relation to creases, folds or similar from preceding treatments, and with an increasing dehumidify of the residual humidity of the air (10) after the beginning of the condensation at the condenser (13) the material (2) then is freed from creases, folds or similar and therefore is then dried largely without ironing. Further the invention describes a drying cabinet (1) for the drying of the damp material (2) is treated in a treatment chamber (15) of a drying cabinet (1) in mechanically immobile condition which shows flaps (21, 22) to be switched between the circulation in the closed circulation and a treatment in the open circulation which make possible an introduction and exhausting from external air.

Description

The invention relates to a method for drying moist material, in particular of damp laundry, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The drying of laundry is one of various technical facilities problem solved many times. In addition to pure passive drying in the house or on Fresh air is currently mainly used for drum dryers used, into the laundry to be dried after the wash cycle and then with heating and simultaneous mechanical rotation with warm Air is applied. The laundry is subject to a high level in these drum dryers mechanical stress at high temperatures, which makes the Laundry fibers i. d. R. are severely damaged. This leads to matting the clothes and shrinkage of the laundry items, making the laundry unusable overall can be. Drying the laundry in tumble dryers is therefore problematic and leads even if the laundry is properly handled in the tumble dryer with frequent repetitions to reduce the quality of the laundry.

It is also known from DE 42 35 560 C2, for example, a drying cabinet to design that hanging in it by means of a warm air blower gentle and can be dried without mechanical stress. In Such a drying cabinet is the laundry in a hanging arrangement introduced and dried by warm air supplied from outside. hereby the mechanical load on the laundry during drying is reduced to zero, however is due to the high humidity coming out of the drying cabinet provided warm air an operation of such a drying cabinet only at one Exhaust air routing to the outside possible.

It is therefore known from DE 36 32 820 C2 to have such a drying cabinet to equip a capacitor that is in the closed circuit inside circulating air cools down in such a way that the moisture condensed and into a corresponding collecting container. can be dissipated. As a result, drying is also possible without a corresponding removal of moist air enables, also the amount of energy required to heat the drying cabinet lower. However, the laundry will be during this drying process the wrinkle remaining when hanging or the existing creases maintained during the drying process, so that from the drying cabinet Dry laundry must then be ironed. As a result, part of the rationalization of the drying cabinet Housework given away.

The object of the present invention is therefore a Developing methods for drying in such a way that the laundry without, if possible subsequently necessary ironing operations are dried and also an operation the drying cabinet is possible without additional exhaust air routing.

The object of the invention is achieved with regard to the method from the characterizing features of claim 1 in cooperation with the characteristics of the generic term. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the subclaims.

The invention is based on a method for drying moist material, in particular of damp laundry in which the goods are in a treatment room Drying cabinet is treated in a mechanically immobile state, taking air through the treatment room and via a cooling system from an external air circuit Condenser is guided and the moisture contained in the air precipitate the condenser and can be dissipated. This generic Process is further developed in that the air at least during a Period of drying of the goods with the condenser switched off a closed internal cycle through the treatment room over the still moist, to be dried material is guided, the material suspended by means of a hanging device with increasing Temperature in the treatment room circulating with the air and at least partially formed from the moisture of the goods vapor or exposed to increased humidity at a maximum temperature between 90 and 125 ° C and by the steam or the increased humidity in relation to wrinkles, Wrinkles or the like from previous treatments is relaxed and smoothed. Here, with increasing removal of the residual moisture in the air after the start Condensation on the condenser removes wrinkles, folds or the like and non-iron dried. Treating the goods like a steam shower acts by relaxing the fibers of the goods, causing creases, wrinkles or the like, gradually similar to a steam shot of an iron reform and the goods are then dried in a smooth state. This eliminates the need for a separate ironing treatment after drying great time savings can be achieved. By generating the steam or the increased air humidity results from the moisture of the goods even when introduced there is also the advantage that this moisture is already removed from the goods and this is accompanied by drying of the goods. So in the phase of Heating the treatment room essentially only the introduction of heat in the treatment room required the introduction of steam from an external Source does not have to be done. A particularly good ratio of distance of creases and folds related to the drying time can be achieved if the maximum temperature of air and / or steam or increased humidity during the phase of the transfer of the steam or the increased air humidity about the material inside the treatment room between 90 and 125 ° C is.

A first advantageous embodiment of the method provides that during the formation the temperature in the treatment room is increased. This causes the steam or the increased humidity obtained from the residual moisture in the goods by evaporating the residual moisture or evaporates and passes into the air circulated in the treatment room. Depending on the temperature, the circulated air can be different Absorb amounts of moisture or steam, so that when increasing the Temperature a significant part of the residual moisture of the goods already in the converted air passes over. The associated drying effect of the goods with simultaneous formation of the necessary to remove creases and wrinkles Steam increases the economics of the process by reducing energy costs.

Another advantageous embodiment of the method provides that the condensation delayed after the start of drying and the formation of steam or the increased humidity. This can be achieved that especially at the beginning of drying a very steam or increased humidity saturated volume flow circulates through the treatment room, which the creases and folds of the goods are reliably eliminated.

It is particularly advantageous if the transition from the closed circuit the steam or the increased humidity is transferred via the Good for the phase of increasing removal of air humidity from the treatment room by means of condensation on the capacitor. You can a particularly gentle treatment of the goods in the treatment room for removal of creases and wrinkles with a gentle drying phase combine, ensuring a safe removal of creases and wrinkles good and gentle drying of the goods can be achieved at the same time.

It is also conceivable that the steam or the increased air humidity at least is sometimes also supplied to the treatment room from an external source. This can result in additional steam or a larger one using the external source Amount of steam can be supplied to the goods in a shorter time without the generation due to steam or increased humidity inside the treatment room high temperatures can damage the goods.

Another improvement when using a drying cabinet to carry out the method according to the invention can be achieved by following the transition phase the steam or the increased air humidity and at or after the Drying the goods in an open circuit in the same treatment room Influence of outside air supplied from another treatment such as further drying, disinfection, sterilization, removal of pollutants or the like. This allows both the drying treatment with the achievement of a non-iron drying of the Good with further possibly necessary steps of the treatment of the good as well disinfecting the goods, for example in hospitals or one Combination of pollutants in freshly produced items combined become. The estate no longer has to be sufficient for such combination treatments the treatment room can be reloaded into another device, but can be directly remain in the treatment room and continue to be treated there. The treatment in an open cycle is always necessary if z. B. volatile Components are to be removed or a process control in the closed Cycle would cause excessive stress on the goods.

The temperature can be reduced by adding ambient air to the treatment room be reduced in the treatment room, so that in addition to the possible further treatment of the goods in the open circuit also a shorter cooling can be reached from the drying phase.

A drying cabinet to carry out the process according to claim 1 has a lockable to the environment treatment room on, through the air with steam or increased humidity in a closed circuit and can be conducted via a capacitor and the moisture contained in the air condenses on the condenser and into one Collecting container can be removed, the condenser being able to be cooled by a flow of cooling air which is sucked in from the ambient air.

It can further be provided that the cooling air flow between the outer walls the treatment room and the outer wall of the drying cabinet is guided along the outer wall of the drying cabinet against heat loads to cool out of the treatment room.

Also in the closed circuit through the treatment room and Air passed through the condenser with steam or increased humidity arranged laterally in opposite walls of the treatment room Openings in the treatment room in the form of air flows flowing towards one another inflatable and underside of the treatment room again from the Treatment room can be stripped. This is a good mix of the inside accessible to the treatment room, which leads to high moisture absorption of good through the air.

Furthermore, a drying cabinet for drying moist Well described, especially of damp laundry, especially for performing the A method according to claim 1, in which the material in a treatment room in mechanical immobile condition is treated, taking air in a closed Circuit through the treatment room and a condenser and the moisture contained in the air condenses on the condenser and can be dissipated. Such a drying cabinet has to switch the Operation of the drying cabinet between circulation in a closed circuit and open circuit treatment flaps on the drying cabinet on, the supply and removal of outside air to and from the treatment room enable. In a further development, the flaps can be time and / or temperature controlled and / or open depending on the drying condition of the goods and close. Such a configuration of a drying cabinet enables one Combined and automated operation both in a closed circuit and also in an open cycle and therefore offers various uses of the same device. This can be avoided, for example, for the Disinfection or sterilization must be purchased as a separate device Disinfection or sterilization usually takes place in an open circuit, the inventive Drying in a closed cycle.

A particularly preferred embodiment of a drying cabinet the drawing shows how to carry out the method according to the invention.

Figur 1 -

eine Vorderansicht eines Trockenschrankes zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens im geöffneten Zustand im Teilschnitt mit darin mittels Pfeilen angegebenen Luftströmungen,

Figur 2 -

eine Seitenansicht eines Trockenschrankes zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens gemäß Figur 1 im Schnitt,

Figur 3 -

eine Aufsicht auf einen Schnitt des Trockenschrankes im Bereich des Sockel zu gemäß Figuren 1 und 2,

Figur 4 -

eine Vorderansicht eines Trockenschrankes zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens gemäß Figur 1 mit Auslaßklappen im offenen Kreislauf,

Figur 5 -

eine Seitenansicht eines Trockenschrankes zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens gemäß Figur 4 mit Auslaßklappen im offenen Kreislauf.

Show it:

Figure 1 -

3 shows a front view of a drying cabinet for carrying out the method according to the invention in the open state in partial section with air flows indicated therein by means of arrows,

Figure 2 -

2 shows a side view of a drying cabinet for carrying out the method according to the invention in accordance with FIG. 1,

Figure 3 -

2 shows a top view of a section of the drying cabinet in the region of the base according to FIGS. 1 and 2,

Figure 4 -

2 shows a front view of a drying cabinet for carrying out the method according to the invention according to FIG. 1 with outlet flaps in an open circuit,

Figure 5 -

a side view of a drying cabinet for performing the method according to the invention according to Figure 4 with outlet flaps in an open circuit.

The drying cabinet 1 for carrying out the method according to the invention is in a first configuration in FIGS. 1 to 3 shown, in which a drying of the only schematically indicated goods 2 takes place inside the treatment room 15 of the drying cabinet 1. The Well 2, laundry items indicated here, depends on unspecified and basically known suspension devices 3, which are approximately horizontal inside the treatment room 15 of the drying cabinet 1 are attached. The basic one Structure and the air duct of the drying cabinet 1 according to Figure 1 corresponds that from the patent specification DE 42 35 560 C2 of the same inventor.

Above the treatment room 15 is a fan 5 for the hot air flow 10, 10 'indicated that the hot air flow 10 via a corresponding radial fan Air ducts in ducts 20, one approximately vertically the treatment room Form 15 limiting air flow. In these channels 20 are open to the inside of the treatment room 15 laterally provided inlet openings 19 through which in the hot air flow 10 laterally and from both sides of the drying cabinet 1 each other countercurrently can enter the interior of the treatment room 15. This ensures thorough mixing of the interior of the treatment room 15 reached with the hot air flow 10 through which the material 2 can give off moisture.

The warm air flow 10 is through after passing through the treatment room 15 a perforated lower wall 14 fed to a capacitor 13 and with a cold air flow in this condenser 13 explained in more detail in thermal connection brought. After passing through the heat exchanger 13, the cooled one flows Warm air flow 10 'through an air duct 11 on the back of the drying cabinet 1 back up towards the blower 5 and there again blown into the interior of the treatment room 15 as already described. This Air flow of the warm air flow 10, 10 'conducted in a closed circuit enables the particularly advantageous drying in a manner described in more detail of goods 2 in such a way that post-treatment by ironing can be avoided can.

The capacitor 13 below the treatment room 15 is equipped with a first one Cold air stream 8 and cooled with a further cold air stream 8 'and thereby leads to Condensing the moisture content contained in the hot air stream 10. The a cold air flow 8 'is in this case via an inlet opening 6 in the vicinity of the condenser 13 sucked in from the surroundings, with a below the condenser 13 Radial fan in the form of a fan 4 causes a corresponding air flow. The fan 4 pushes the cold air flow 8 in the base region via an outlet opening 7 the drying cabinet 1 again. The other part 8 'of the cold air flow is also sucked in from the environment above the treatment room 15 and through air channels arranged between the side walls 18 and the channel 20 12 led down towards the fan 4. This air duct serves to ensure that the surfaces of the drying cabinet 1, that of operators can be touched, cooled at the same time, so that these otherwise cannot burn hot surfaces. The cold air flow 8 'takes in this case the temperature prevailing on the outside of the air channels 20 from the Warm air flow 10 from.

Below the condenser 13 and with it via a corresponding liquid-conducting Connection in contact is the sump 9 for the condensed Liquid that is generously sized and easy to transport the collected liquid in a spout or the like. Also without spillover the sump 9 allows. The dried out of the good 2 Liquid is collected here and after the drying cycle has ended taken by the operator.

Two flaps 21, 22 can be seen in the upper region of the drying cabinet 1, of which the flap 22 is an outlet flap for the hot air flow 10 in the open Represents circuit, which is explained in more detail in Figures 4 and 5. In the in the Figures 1 to 3 shown configuration, this flap 22 is closed, so that the warm air flow 10 after passing through the duct 11 again to the fan 5 is fed. The flap 21 serves to close the air supply for the cold air flow 8 ', in the upper section of the drying cabinet 1 between the treatment room 15 and the side walls 18 of the drying cabinet 1 enter and after can be promoted below by the fan 4. In an operating state of the Drying cabinet 1 in which the condenser 13 is not in operation can do this Flap 21 as well as the flap 23 arranged near the condenser 13 are closed be so that the cooling air flow 8, 8 'in the drying cabinet 1 completely can be turned off. For this purpose, the fan 4 is also excluded Operation set. In this operating state, the Treatment room 15 by arranged in the upper part of the drying cabinet 1 and heating elements 24 not described here. This forms on the inside the treatment room 15 in a closed circuit is very saturated with steam Atmosphere that contributes to the advantages described in more detail below Crease and wrinkle-free drying of goods 2.

The operation of the drying cabinet 1 according to the method of the invention describe themselves as follows. For example, from a previous one Washing cycle still wet laundry 2 is on the hangers 3 in the Interior of the treatment room 15 hung, the dense occupancy of the Treatment room 15 with items 2 a very good volume utilization of the drying cabinet 1 can be reached. Of course, it is also conceivable here not previously washed, but only due to environmental pollution or Like. bring in damp or otherwise wrinkled laundry or the like, which in should be in a non-iron and dry condition. Example of such A variety of items such as household items can be used delicate fabrics, pure wool, duvets, pillows, duvets, woolen blankets, Leather shoes and any other items that are exposed to moisture subject or should be moistened for cleaning purposes.

After the introduction of the goods 2, the front door 16 of the Drying cabinet 1 closed and the drying cabinet 1 in a first operating state switched, in which the heating elements 24 and the fan 5 for the Warm air flow 10, 10 'are put into operation. The air flow is in the above already described here in a closed circuit so that the Warm air flow 10, 10 'after entering the interior of the treatment room 15 via the condenser 13 and through the channel 11 upwards within the drying cabinet 1 is funded. The capacitor 13 can in this operating state already by cooling with the cold air flow 8, 8 'and actuating the fan 4 be in operation so that immediately when the treatment room is heated 15 can already draw moisture from the interior of the treatment room 15. Of course, it is also conceivable for other process management during this Heating phase, the condenser 13 is not yet in operation, so that no cold air flow 8, 8 'in the condenser 13 with the hot air flow 10, 10' brought into contact becomes. It is favorable, for example, only after a certain heating-up time to put the capacitor 13 into operation so that a high proportion of Humidity in the hot air stream 10, 10 'results and the goods 2 therefore quickly can be relaxed without creasing.

The effect of the hot air flow 10, 10 'in this phase of the process is based insist that when touched z. B. textile materials with a steam flow the fibers of these textile materials can be relaxed and thereby any existing Wrinkles, folds or similar non-smooth spots even without mechanical action be eliminated. This effect is basically from the area of ironing technology known, for example, on the iron as an additional function Steam showers are attached to the the ironer before mechanical contact the iron can be applied to specific areas to be ironed and the a pre-wetting and thus the relaxation of the tissue already described cause. In the mode of operation of the drying cabinet 1 described here the entire good to be treated 2 of such a steam shower due to the high Steam portion in the hot air stream 10, 10 'exposed, so that a local application targeted amounts of steam is not necessary at all. The ones on the hangers 3 hanging laundry 2, which are usually hung quite smooth can lose the corresponding creases and can then after a subsequent drying completely or largely free of creases and wrinkles can be removed from the drying cabinet 1. This allows a complete Saving the processing step of goods 2 after drying, which results in a high Time relief about a housewife can be reached.

Possibly depending on the type of laundry and the particular moisture content depending on the selectable period of exposure to the air / steam mixture within the treatment room 15 in the already described The capacitor 13 is put into operation and then withdrawn from it Warm air flow 10, 10 'gradually its moisture, so that the laundry 2 increasingly is dried. Here, the closed cycle of Drying cabinet 1 for carrying out the method according to the invention has the great advantage that the drying cabinet 1 no moist exhaust air flow emerges. This moist exhaust air flow causes, for example possible moisture damage inside when installed in an apartment the room and must therefore, as a rule, through an appropriate exhaust air duct be disposed of outdoors. The condensate forming on the condenser 13 is from corresponding capacitor devices from the capacitor 13 in one Collection container 9 passed and can be there after the drying process collected together.

Another advantage of the operating mode of the drying cabinet shown 1 is that the steam is partially or completely out of moisture of the dry good 2 itself is obtained, whereby on the one hand a partial Drying of the material 2 is achieved during the extraction of the steam and therefore the drying time is reduced overall. Second is one Operation advantageous with regard to the amounts of energy to be used, since a external steam generation can be avoided, for example, by a steam generator and the energy for extracting the steam is at the same time a drying effect causes.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the structure of the drying cabinet 1 in FIGS 3 corresponding operating state of the drying cabinet 1 is shown, in which about an additional processing step after completion of the drying process such as disinfection, ventilation or the like is connected, in which the drying cabinet 1 is operated in an open circuit. The one for this Operating condition already known air duct according to DE 42 35 560 C2 of such a drying cabinet is shown in the invention shown here Realized in the same drying cabinet 1 in that the exhaust flap 22 for the hot air flow 10 is now opened, as shown in FIG. 5 can be seen. As a result, the hot air flow 10 'can be wholly or partly in the Environment are derived so that after entering the interior of the treatment room 15 of the warm air flow 10 'is wholly or partly discharged. simultaneously is a corresponding cold air flow 8, 8 'on the top of the drying cabinet 1 led into the area of the fan 5, which after passing through the heating elements 24 can replace the expanded part of the hot air flow 10 '. Through this Mixing of the warm air flow 10 'with the cold air flow 8' results in Exchange of the circulated air flow, for example for ventilation, but also can be used for rapid cooling of the treatment room 15. For example after the material 2 has largely dried, the moisture content of the hot air flow 10 'emerging at the flap 22 is only slight, so that is Exposure to the environment by moisture is also only slight and therefore can other well-known treatment stages such as disinfection, sterilization, ventilation or removal of pollutants the operation of the drying cabinet Connect 1 in an open circuit. Here, the opening of the flap 22 or Corresponding elements for guiding the incoming cold air flow 8 ' of course time-controlled, temperature-controlled or other state variables of the goods to be dried 2 are controlled dependent.

Part number list

1 -

drying cabinet

2 -

Good / laundry

3 -

hangers

4 -

Fan cold air flow

5 -

Fan hot air flow

6 -

Cold air flow inlet

7 -

Cold air flow outlet

8, 8 '-

Cold air flow

9 -

drip tray

10, 10 '-

Hot air flow

11 -

Air duct return flow warm air flow

12 -

Air duct cooling air flow

13 -

Heat exchanger / condenser

14 -

lower wall treatment room

15 -

treatment room

16 -

Door drying cabinet

17 -

Back wall drying cabinet

18 -

Drying cabinet side walls

19 -

side inlet openings

20 -

Air duct warm air flow

21 -

Cold air inlet flap

22 -

Hot air outlet flap

23 -

supplied ambient air

24 -

heating elements

Claims (8)

1. Method for the drying of damp material (2), in particular of damp laundry, in which the material (2) is treated in a treatment room (15) of a drying cabinet (1) in mechanically motionless state, in which air (10) is led through the treatment room (15) and over a condenser (13) cooled by an outer air circulation and the humidity contained in the air (10) can condense at the condenser (13) and be led away,
   characterised in that
   the air (10) is led about the still damp material (2) to be dried with condenser switched off in a closed inner circulation through the treatment room (15) at least during a period of time of the drying of the material (2) in which the material (2) hung up by means of an on hanging device (3) is exposed at increasing temperature in the treatment room (15) to a steam or respectively increased air humidity orbiting with the air (10) in the circulation and forming at least partly from the humidity of the material (2) at a maximum temperature between 90 and 125 degrees Celsius and is relaxed and smoothed by the steam or respectively the increased air humidity with respect to creasing, folds or the like from previous treatments,
   and with an increasing withdrawal of the rest humidity of the air (10) after the beginning of the condensation at the condenser (13) the material (2) is freed and dried non-ironly of creasing, folds or the like.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the temperature is increased in the treatment room (15) during the formation of the steam or the increased air humidity.
3. Method according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the condensation starts time delayedly after the beginning of the drying and the formation of the steam or the increased air humidity.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the change-over from transition of the steam or the increased air humidity over the material (2) being carried out in the closed circulation to the phase of the increasing withdrawal of the air humidity from the treatment room (15) by means of condensation at the condenser (13) is carried out slidingly.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the temperature of the air (10) and/or steam or increased air humidity after the transition over the condenser (13) situated in operation is at most about 60-70 degrees Celsius.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the steam or the increased air humidity is at least partly supplied to the treatment room (15) also from an external source.
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that following to the phase of the transition of the steam or the increased air humidity and during or after the drying the material (2) is exposed in the same treatment room (15) in an open circulation under influence of ambient air (23) supplied from the outside to a further treatment as to a further drying, a disinfecting, a sterilization, a pollution removal or the like.
8. Method according to claim 7, characterised in that the temperature in the treatment room (15) is reduced by means of the admix of ambient air (23) into the treatment room (15).

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