The present invention relates to a laundry treatment machine, in particular to a washing machine for washing laundry or a washer dryer for washing and drying laundry.

EP 3 135 799 Al suggests in the embodiment of Fig. 1 a washing machine using an evaporator and a condenser of a heat pump for heating and cooling the washing water during a washing cycle.

It is an object of the invention to provide an energy efficient laundry treatment system.

The invention is defined in claim 1. Particular embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

According to claim 1 a laundry treatment machine is provided. The machine comprises: a cabinet housing, a tub and a drum rotatably arranged in the tub for washing laundry therein, a heat pump having a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser, an evaporator tank storing a heat exchanging medium and housing and/or being in heat contact with at least a portion of the evaporator, a condenser unit comprising the condenser and a liquid passage for flowing washing liquid through the condenser unit, wherein the condenser and the liquid passage are arranged in a heat-exchanging manner for transferring heat between the condenser and the liquid in the liquid passage, a washing liquid circulation unit which is adapted to circulate the washing liquid from the tub through the liquid passage of the condenser and back to the tub, and a control unit adapted to operate the washer dryer in different modes of operation.

The laundry treatment machine is a washer dryer, wherein in a first operation mode, which is a washing operation mode, the condenser unit is adapted to heat the washing liquid and the evaporator is adapted to cool the heat exchanging medium, and wherein in a second operation mode, which is a laundry drying mode, the condenser unit is adapted to cool the washing liquid and the evaporator is adapted to heat the heat exchanging medium.

The first operation mode is a washing cycle or at least a time period during a washing operation cycle. Then the condenser operates as condenser and heats the washing water.

The second operation mode is a drying cycle or at least a time period during a drying cycle. Then the condenser operates as evaporator and cools the washing water. In the second operation mode the 'washing liquid' is preferably tap water and/or may be e.g. water remaining from the preceding rinsing and/or spinning phase. The 'washing liquid' is serving as a condensation liquid interacting with the circulated drying air for dehumidifying and de-fluffing the drying air.

In the normal heat pump operation mode the condenser may be operating as a condenser of the heat pump and is cooling the refrigerant and the evaporator may be operating as an evaporator of the heat pump and is heating the refrigerant.

The compressor may be a compressor adapted to reverse the refrigerant flow direction, for example by changing the motor drive direction of the compressor motor. Preferably the laundry treatment machine comprises a refrigerant flow changing device having a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet. The refrigerant flow changing device is adapted in a first switching state to fluidly connect the refrigerant inlet to a first pipe of the refrigerant circuit and the refrigerant outlet to a second pipe of the refrigerant circuit, and in a second switching state to fluidly connect the refrigerant inlet to the second pipe of the refrigerant circuit and the refrigerant outlet to the first pipe of the refrigerant circuit.

Preferably the expansion device is a capillary as its operation is independent of the refrigerant flow direction.

As preferably the evaporator tank is a closed tank with a heat exchanging medium, during the second operation mode (drying) the medium is heated up such that in a subsequent washing cycle this deposited heat can be additionally extracted from the medium. Preferably, during a washing cycle the heat exchanging medium in the evaporator tank is heated up such that ice formed during previous washing cycles is resolved in the evaporator (deicing function). Also during a drying cycle the cooling down of the medium during a preceding washing cycle improves generating cold water for air humidity condensation.

Preferably the laundry treatment machine comprises a refrigerant flow changing device having a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet. The refrigerant flow changing device is adapted in a first switching state to fluidly connect the refrigerant inlet to a first pipe of the refrigerant circuit and the refrigerant outlet to a second pipe of the refrigerant circuit, and in a second switching state to fluidly connect the refrigerant inlet to the second pipe of the refrigerant circuit and the refrigerant outlet to the first pipe of the refrigerant circuit.

The refrigerant flow direction may be changed (reverted) by the refrigerant flow changing device outside the compressor. Preferably the refrigerant inlet of the device is connected to the outlet of the compressor and the refrigerant outlet is connected to the inlet of the compressor. The first switching state may be the normal operation state (first operation mode (washing cycle)) for the heat pump where the first pipe is fluidly connected to the condenser and the second switching state may be the operation state for the heat pump which corresponds to the second operation mode (drying cycle).

In an embodiment the evaporator tank together with the evaporator and/or the condenser unit are arranged at the backside of the laundry treatment machine in a pivotable manner. For example a hinge may be provided such that the evaporator tank and/or the condenser unit can be pivoted at one side (e.g. at the lower end or at a lateral side of the evaporator tank and/or condenser unit) so that for mounting and/or maintenance purposes (change of the drum driving belt) the tank and/or unit can be pivoted to the side e.g. after releasing some mounting and/or snap-fit elements supporting the tank and/or condenser at the machine back side or housing frame.

Alternatively or additionally the condenser unit and/or evaporator tank are provided as a ready-to-be mounted module mounted at the back side or rear region of the machine cabinet. Preferably the module is pivotably supported at the machine cabinet or rear side or cabinet supporting frame.

Circulation Unit

Preferably, the circulation unit comprises a circulation pump, a suction line connecting the tub to the inlet of the circulation pump and a return line connecting the outlet of the pump to the tub or to a fluid passage which is connected to the tub. In particular, the inlet of the suction line may be connected to a sump of the tub.

In addition or as an alternative, the outlet of the return line may be connected (a) to a spray nozzle that may be arranged at the tub or at a loading opening of the tub. The spray nozzle may be adapted to spray the circulated washing water towards the drum interior. The spray nozzle may be a shaped of the pipe where in particular the circulated liquid is released without water pressure. When herein a 'spray' is mentioned, the liquid exiting for example a nozzle may be pressurized (having e.g. a predefined directivity) or may be pressure-free. In particular, the spray nozzle introducing water into the tub is designed to change the shape of the liquid jet, e. g. by enlarging it as a sort of 'V or expanded spray. Or the outlet of the return line is connected (b) to the interior of a detergent drawer housing of the laundry treatment machine from where the circulated washing water may be guided back to drum interior. Or the outlet of the return line is connected (c) to a manifold of the laundry treatment machine which may be fluidly connected to the interior of the tub. Or the outlet of the return line is connected (d) to an air condensation unit of the laundry treatment machine.

Preferably, a portion of the return line forms the liquid passage of the condenser.

The laundry treatment machine can be a washer dryer having a first operation mode in which during at least a portion of a washing cycle the circulated washing liquid is heated, and/or having a second operation mode in which during at least a portion of a drying cycle the circulated (washing) liquid is cooled. In such a washer dryer and during the second operation mode the cooled washing liquid is preferably introduced through an air condensation unit (d) of the laundry treatment machine.

In the 'Air condensation unit' the humidity in the air used for drying the laundry is condensed and thus removed from the circulated air by the cooled washing liquid.

The outlet of the return line may be connected to the tub via the spray nozzle (a), via the manifold (c), via the interior of the detergent drawer (b) and the air condensation unit (d), or via the manifold (c) and the air condensation unit (d). Or the interior of the detergent drawer (b), the manifold (c) and the air condensation unit (d) may be combined to connect the return line to the tub. Or the spray nozzle (a), the interior of the detergent drawer (b), the manifold (c) and the air condensation unit (d) may be used individually to connect the return line to the tub. For example the circulated washing water first flows into the drawer housing from there into the manifold and from there to the air condensation unit. Preferably the return line for a washing machine is only connected to the spray nozzle (a) and preferably the return line for a washer dryer is connected to the detergent drawer housing (b).

The manifold may for example be connected to the outlet of the drawer housing receiving therefrom a mixture of water and powdered or liquid washing agents. In addition or as an alternative the manifold may be connected to a tap water supply valve.

The circulation unit is effective in saving water when it resupplies the water circulated from the tub into drum (see below spray nozzle) as the water amount to be stored in tub is less as it is not required that the lower diameter of the drum is immersed in washing water having a respective washing liquid level.

The resupply via a spray nozzle (a) may be the most efficient use of detergent and water. This is a preferred solution for resupply of heated washing liquid for a washing machine. Preferably the spray nozzle is arranged at a bellows flexibly sealing between the loading opening (or porthole door) in the cabinet and the front side of the tub. In addition or as an alternative the spray nozzle may be arranged at an upper position with respect to the bellows or front opening in the tub. In addition or as an alternative the spray direction at the spray nozzle exit may be directed axially towards the rear side of the drum.

The suction line may be completely arranged in a bottom region of the cabinet housing. In addition or as an alternative the suction line may be located completely below the tub. The suction line is e. g. the shortest connection between circulation pump and inlet to the condenser unit.

Preferably the laundry treatment machine further comprises a circulated washing water directing device adapted to direct the flow of circulated washing liquid that has passed the condenser unit selectively through a first return passage to the tub or through a second return passage to the tub.

The first return passage may be the spray nozzle (a) and/or the first return passage may be selected and thus used during the first operation mode (washing cycle). The second return passage may include a passage through the interior of the drawer housing (b) and/or the manifold (c) and/or the air condensation unit (d). Of course during drying, the laundry should not be wetted by liquid returned onto the laundry in the drum through nozzle (a).

The directing device may be a switching and/or valve element. As an alternative, the directing device may be a flow diverter which depending on the flow speed of the circulated washing liquid directs the circulated washing liquid into

- a first outlet towards the first return passage (e.g. at a higher flow rate and/or to the spray nozzle (a)), or

- a second outlet towards the second return passage (e.g. at a lower flow rate and/or to the drawer housing (b), the manifold (c) and/or the air condensation unit (d)).

Preferably the directing device is arranged downstream the detergent drawer housing. Most preferably, the directing device directs the circulated washing liquid to the nozzle (a) during washing mode and to the manifold (c) or the air condensation unit (d) during drying mode.

Preferably, the return line is forming a siphon between the exit at the condenser outlet of the liquid passage and the outlet of the return line. Specifically when the outlet of the return line is at the spray nozzle (a) (e.g. at an upper portion of the gasket at the loading opening) and/or where the condenser is arranged in a vertical plane (e.g. when the evaporator tank is arranged at the backside of the laundry treatment machine). In this case a siphon bypass line may be provided between a lower portion of the return line of the circulation unit and a lower portion of the tub, a draining pump or a sump connected to the tub. Water that is remaining after a washing liquid circulation in the siphon can be drained through the siphon bypass when the washing liquid is drained out of the tub (e.g. after the end of the washing and/or rinsing cycle).

Preferably the return line is forming a siphon between the exit at the condenser outlet of the liquid passage and the outlet of the return line. Specifically when the outlet of the return line is at the spray nozzle (a) (e.g. at an upper portion of the gasket at the loading opening) and/or the condenser is arranged in a vertical plane (e.g. when the evaporator tank is arranged at the backside of the laundry treatment machine).

Top Module

The laundry treatment machine may further comprise a top module, wherein when the top module is mounted at the laundry treatment machine, it is forming part of the cabinet housing as a top, and wherein the top module may comprise one or more of: the evaporator tank and the evaporator, the compressor. When the laundry treatment machine is a washer-dryer, a blower for circulating the drying air, at least a portion of a flow channel connecting the interior of the tub with the blower inlet and at least a portion of a return duct connecting the blower outlet with the interior of the tub may be provided in the top module.

'Module comprises' means that the respective comprised components form part of the top module and are preferably mounted to the top module. The components of the top module may be pre-assembled such that the top module can be assembled as a whole to the upper side of the laundry treatment machine. Preferably the top module has on its upper side a working top.

The top module has a height which corresponds to a vertical extension and a width/depth which corresponds to horizontal extension of the top module when the top module is mounted on the top of the laundry treatment machine and when the laundry treatment machine is in an orientation as used in normal operation.

Preferably the top module has the vertical extension and at least a portion of the evaporator tank. The evaporator and/or the condenser may be positioned within the vertical extension of the top module. Preferably, the evaporator tank is arranged in a central region of the top module. More preferably the condenser is at least partially surrounding the evaporator tank.

Optionally in case of a washer-dryer the top module may also comprise a heater arranged in the return duct for heating the drying air. Further details are disclosed below with respect to the washer-dryer.

Condenser Unit / Tube-in-Tube Arrangement

The condenser unit may be extending along two sides, along three sides or at least three sides of the evaporator tank. In addition or as an alternative the condenser unit may be guided around the evaporator tank covering an arc around the evaporator tank of at least 70°, at least 80°, at least 100° or at least 120°. In addition or as an alternative, the ratio R between the condenser unit longitudinal extension L to the condenser unit maximum or average cross extension Q is at least 10, at least 15 or at least 20. 'Longitudinal extension' is the extension when the condenser unit is straightened to a line and such straightening is 'theoretically' not deteriorating the heat exchanging efficiency of the condenser unit. The cross extension is the average extension of such straightened condenser unit perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The 'arc around the condenser' is measured from the geometrical 'center' of the evaporator tank.

'Guided around' and 'extending along' are to be seen in a perspective perpendicular to extension planes. 'Extension planes' are filling the respective volumes occupied by the outer dimensions of the curved condenser unit and evaporator tank and have a 'flat' dimension as compared to the other two dimensions of the evaporator tank and curved condenser unit.

An extension plane where the condenser unit is arranged and an extension plane where the evaporator tank is arranged may overlap or may partially overlap or may be arranged in proximity but minimally spaced of each other.

Preferably at least 80%, 90% or the whole condenser unit is guided along an outer wall of the evaporator tank - with respect to the length of the condenser unit which is in heatexchanging contact between the refrigerant passage and the washing liquid passage.

The condenser unit may be formed of or may comprise tubes arranged in heat contact with each other, wherein in at least one tube the refrigerant is flowing and/or in at least one other tube the washing liquid is flowing. E.g. the refrigerant tube(s) is in heat contact with the washing liquid tube(s).

Preferably the condenser unit is or comprises a tube-in-tube arrangement, where a smaller diameter tube is arranged in a larger diameter tube. In such tube-in-tube arrangement e.g. the refrigerant (or the washing liquid) is flowing in the larger diameter tube around the smaller diameter tube and in the smaller diameter tube the washing liquid (or the refrigerant) is flowing. When the refrigerant is flowing in the larger diameter tube, the required cross section for refrigerant flow is low, but when the refrigerant is flowing in the outer pipe, the heat exchanging area is increased as compared to the refrigerant flowing in the inner tube, as the cross section for the inner tube where the washing liquid flows is high. On the other hand, the washing liquid flow in the smaller diameter inner tube may reduce the risk of clogging as the tube wall surface is minimized (e.g. no outer surface of an inner tube).

Preferably the refrigerant and the washing liquids are flowing in opposite directions in the heat-connected tubes (counterflow) resulting in higher heat exchanging efficiency.

Washing liquid flow in the smaller diameter inner tube reduces the risk of clogging as the tube wall surface is minimized (e.g. no outer surface of an inner tube).

The heat exchanging medium may be a low temperature freezing liquid, or preferably water which is more 'environment friendly'.

The condenser unit may not only be guided around the evaporator tank, but also or alternatively around the drum rotational axis. In this case the evaporator tank is arranged vertically preferably in a back region of the machine behind the tub (and if provided at the back side behind a drum drive arrangement).

The condenser unit may be enclosed by a heat insulating layer, specifically in case of a tube-in-tube arrangement. 'Enclosed' means that essential parts of the condenser unit are heat insulated.

The inner tube of the condenser unit may have an inner diameter in the range of 10 to 14 mm, 13 to 17 mm, or 16 to 22 mm) and/or may have a wall thickness in the range of 0,7 to 1 mm, 0,9 to 1,5 mm, 1,4 to 2,2 mm or 2 to 2,5 mm. In addition or as an alternative the outer tube of the condenser unit may have an inner diameter in the range of 15 to 21 mm, 19 to 25 or 22 to 24 mm and/or may have a wall thickness in the range of 0,7 to 1 mm, 0,9 to 1,5 mm, 1,4 to 2,2 mm or 2 to 2,5 mm. In addition or as an alternative, the heat insulation layer around the outer tube may have an outer diameter in the range of 25 to 28 mm, 27 to 32 mm or 30 to 36 mm.

Alternatively or specifically the inner tube may have an inner diameter of 16 mm (or 12, 14, 18 or 20 mm) and/or may have a wall thickness of 1 mm, 1,5 mm, 2 mm or 2,5 mm. In addition or as an alternative the outer tube may have an inner diameter of 20 mm (or 16, 18, 22 or 24 mm) and/or may have a wall thickness of 1 mm, 1,5 mm, 2 mm or 2,5 mm. In addition or as an alternative, the or an insulation layer around the outer tube may have an outer diameter of 32 mm (or 28, 30, 34 or 36 mm). A portion of the condenser unit may be in heat contact with the heat exchanging medium in or of the evaporator tank. It may be a small portion that is in heat contact with the heat exchanging medium as compared with the portion of the condenser that is in heat contact with the washing liquid. Preferably, the portion that is in heat contact with the heat exchanging medium is at the refrigerant outlet end portion of the condenser. More preferably, the ratio between the portion of the condenser unit which is in heat contact with the heat exchanging medium and the portion of the condenser which is in heat contact with the washing liquid is or is less than 1/5, 1/10 or 1/20. If for example the heat transfer to the washing liquid is no longer required or possible (e.g. no circulation, washing liquid maximally heated) then the residual heat of the heat pump may be deposited in the evaporator tank so that this heat can be extracted in the next washing cycle for heating the circulated liquid.

Heat Pump - General

The heat pump may comprise an expansion device arranged in the refrigerant circuit between the condenser and the evaporator. The refrigerant expansion device may be a valve, a flow -regulating valve or a capillary. Preferably, the expansion device may be e. g. a capillary or an expansion valve which optionally may have an adjustable refrigerant flow rate.

Preferably, a portion of the refrigerant circuit downstream the expansion device and upstream or downstream the evaporator is in close proximity and/or in heat exchanging contact with the compressor. The waste heat of the compressor may be used to heat up the refrigerant before entering into or after exiting from the evaporator portion located in the evaporator tank and may further improve the energy efficiency.

A refrigerant conduit section may be in heat contact with the heat exchanging medium stored in the evaporator tank, wherein this section of the refrigerant circuit may be arranged inside and/or outside the evaporator tank. In case the refrigerant conduit section is outside the evaporator tank, the heat exchange is provided by a heat conducting contact between the section and an outer wall of the tank or the section may form part of the outer wall of the evaporator tank. The refrigerant in the refrigerant conduit section heats the heat exchanging medium (deicing function) and/or removes excessive heat from the heat-pump system. E.g. during the starting phase when the heat pump system is in a cold state (compressor and refrigerant in the condenser) the refrigerant in the evaporator is 'heated' via the refrigerant in the conduit section and/or during a 'steady-state' (when the compressor has warmed up), the excessive heat produced by the compressor is 'deposited' in the medium and provides heating/deicing function to the medium.

Preferably, this refrigerant conduit section is connected to a compressor outlet at one end and at its other end to the inlet of the condenser. I.e. it replaces the direct connection between the compressor outlet and the condenser inlet. As an alternative, the refrigerant conduit section may be connected to the condenser outlet at one end and at its other end to the inlet of the expansion device.

Preferably the material of the pipes of the evaporator and/or condenser is copper or aluminum. The material of the inner and/or outer pipes of a pipe-in-pipe condenser may be aluminum or copper.

The refrigerant may be for example R134a or R290 (propane). In case that the refrigerant is propane (R290) the maximum refrigerant amount in the heat pump system is or is below 150 gr.

Evaporator Tank

The evaporator tank may be a closed tank for permanently storing a heat exchanging medium. 'Permanently storing' the heat exchanging medium means that in normal operation the use of the machine and the operation of the machine do not result in the exchange of the heat exchanging medium. An exchange of the medium is reserved to a service procedure - if at all.

Preferably in a horizontal orientation of the evaporator tank (e.g. installed in the top), the ratio between height extension and width and/or depth extension is or is at least 1/5, 1/8, 1/10 or 1/12. This ratio and/or this height extension may apply correspondingly when the evaporator tank has a vertical orientation (e.g. installed at the backside or at a lateral side of the cabinet).

The volume of the medium stored in the evaporator tank may be or may be at least 5 liters, 7 liters, 10 liters or 12 liters. Preferably the heat exchanging medium is water, water having resolved therein a salt, water with an agent lowering the freezing temperature, a water-glycol mixture, a phase change material (PCM), a metallic PCM, paraffin, a thermochemical heat storing material, or a mixture of these media. The evaporator tank may be arranged at a back region of the cabinet housing within the cabinet housing facing an inner side of the housing back-wall or may be arranged at the rear side of the back-wall. Preferably the evaporator tank is arranged in a housing at the rear wall which preferably itself is closed by a cover. The evaporator tank may be received in a recess provided at the inner or outer side of the back-wall. Recess (side) walls may be formed by molding with the back-wall or unitary therewith.

The evaporator within the evaporator tank may have any structure which may extend along several planes. Preferably the tube forming the evaporator in the evaporator tank is formed as a flat element, for example it is extending in one plane only, e.g. in the horizontal plane within the top module. 'Extending in one plane' means that the extension out of this plane only corresponds to the thickness of the tube and the tube is e.g. not bent to leave this one plane. Thereby the dimension of the evaporator and in consequence of the evaporator tank in a direction perpendicular to this plane is small.

For example, the evaporator has a meandering structure extending in this single plane, e.g. in a horizontal plane and/or parallel to the bottom of the evaporator tank. The evaporator may have sections between the evaporator inlet and the evaporator outlet which form curves.

Compressor

Preferably the compressor is mounted at the top module or in a bottom region of the cabinet. When mounted at the top the compressor motor axis may be oriented vertical or parallel to the top surface of the laundry machine. For using interior space optimally, when mounted at the bottom of the cabinet housing, the compressor motor axis may be in a horizontal plane or may be inclined maximally 15° to the horizontal plane.

Preferably, the compressor is a variable speed compressor with variable refrigerant flow rate.

Washing machine being a washer dryer

The laundry treatment machine may further comprise a drying air circulation circuit having a blower for circulating the drying air, a flow channel connecting the interior of the tub with the blower inlet, wherein an air condensation unit may be associated with the flow channel, and a return duct connecting the blower outlet with the interior of the tub, wherein a heater element may be associated with the return duct.

'Associated with' (flow channel and/or return duct) may mean 'is arranged in' or 'is connected to'.

Preferably a fluff filter and/or water condenser is arranged in the suction duct, more preferably upstream the blower and/or air condensation unit.

Preferably the heater element is e.g. an electric heater. The heater element may also be a condenser of a second heat pump or a condenser selectively operated instead of the condenser for heating the washing liquid.

'Air condensation unit' means that humidity in the air used for drying the laundry is condensed and thus removed from the circulated air.

The air condensation unit may be or may comprise a water condenser arranged in the flow channel. In addition or as alternative the water condensed or flowing in the flow channel may be guided within the flow channel to the interior of the tub. The water condenser may be arranged upstream the blower. The air condensation unit may be or may comprise a water flow arrangement or an evaporator of a second heat pump or a second evaporator selectively connectable to the heat pump for heating the washing water. Preferably the water flow arrangement or second evaporator is provided in the flow channel of the drying air circulation circuit.

Preferably the inlet of the flow channel is connected to a bottom and/or sump region of the tub. More preferably, the flow channel is at least partially formed in the rear wall of the tub and/or at least one wall of the flow channel is formed by the inner or outer side of the rear wall of the tub.

Preferably the air outlet of the return duct is connected to a bellow arranged between a loading opening of the cabinet housing and the front side of the tub.

The laundry treatment machine may further comprise a control unit adapted to operate the washer dryer in different modes of operation, wherein the laundry treatment machine is a washer dryer, wherein in a first operation mode, which is a washing operation mode, the condenser unit is adapted to heat the washing liquid and the evaporator is adapted to cool the heat exchanging medium, and wherein in a second operation mode, which is a laundry drying mode, the condenser unit is adapted to cool the washing liquid and the evaporator is adapted to heat the heat exchanging medium.

The first operation mode is a washing cycle or at least a time period during a washing operation cycle. Then the condenser operates as condenser and heats the washing water.

The second operation mode is a drying cycle or at least a time period during a drying cycle. Then the condenser operates as evaporator and cools the washing water. In the second operation mode the 'washing liquid' is preferably tap water and/or may be e.g. water remaining from the preceding rinsing and/or spinning phase. The 'washing liquid' is serving as a condensation liquid interacting with the circulated drying air for dehumidifying and de-fluffing the drying air.

In the normal heat pump operation mode (which corresponds to the first operation mode (washing cycle)), the condenser may operate as a condenser of the heat pump and may cool the refrigerant and the evaporator may operate as an evaporator of the heat pump and may heat the refrigerant.

As preferably the evaporator tank is a closed tank with a heat exchanging medium, during the second operation mode (drying) the medium is heated up such that in a subsequent washing cycle this deposited heat can be additionally extracted from the medium. Preferably, during a washing cycle the heat exchanging medium in the evaporator tank is heated up such that ice formed during previous washing cycles is resolved in the evaporator (deicing function). Also during a drying cycle the cooling down of the medium during a preceding washing cycle improves generating cold water for air humidity condensation.

The refrigerant flow direction may be reverted for the second operation mode (drying cycle). Alternative to the refrigerant flow changing device, the compressor may be a compressor adapted to reverse the refrigerant flow direction, e.g. by changing the motor drive direction of the compressor motor. The expansion device is preferably a capillary as its operation is independent of refrigerant flow direction.

According to another configuration of the laundry treatment machine, the laundry treatment machine, in particular washing machine or washer dryer, comprises a cabinet housing, a tub and a drum rotatably arranged in the tub for washing laundry therein, a heat pump having a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser, the condenser being adapted to heat washing liquid, an evaporator tank housing and/or being in heat contact with at least a portion of the evaporator, wherein the evaporator tank is a closed tank for permanently storing a heat exchanging medium, a condenser unit comprising the condenser and a liquid passage for flowing the washing liquid through the condenser unit, wherein the condenser and the liquid passage are arranged in a heat-exchanging manner for transferring heat between the condenser and the liquid in the liquid passage, a top module, wherein when the top module is mounted at the laundry treatment machine it is forming part of the cabinet housing as a top and wherein the top module comprises the evaporator tank, the evaporator and the condenser or at least a portion of the condenser, a washing liquid circulation unit which is adapted to circulate the washing liquid from the tub through the liquid passage of the condenser and back to the tub.

'Module comprises' means that the respective comprised components form part of the top module and are preferably mounted to the top module. Preferably the components of the top module are pre-assembled such that the top module may be assembled as a whole to the upper side of the laundry treatment machine.

The top module may have on its upper side a working top.

'Permanently storing' the heat exchanging medium means that in normal operation the use of the machine and the operation of the machine do not result in the exchange of the heat exchanging medium. An exchange of the medium is reserved to a service procedure - if at all.

The circulation unit is effective in saving water when it resupplies the water circulated from the tub into drum (see below spray nozzle) as water amount to be stored in tub is less as it is not required that the lower diameter of the drum is immersed in washing water having a respective washing liquid level.

According to another configuration of a laundry treatment machine, in particular a washing machine or a washer dryer is provided. The machine comprises: a cabinet housing, a tub and a drum rotatably arranged in the tub for washing laundry therein, a heat pump having a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser, the condenser being adapted to heat washing liquid, an evaporator tank housing and/or being in heat contact with at least a portion of the evaporator, a condenser unit comprising the condenser and a liquid passage for flowing the washing liquid through the condenser unit, wherein the condenser and the liquid passage are arranged in a heat-exchanging manner for transferring heat between the condenser and the liquid in the liquid passage. The condenser unit has an elongate longitudinal extension and one or more of the following is applicable

- (a) the condenser unit is extending along two sides, along three sides or at least three sides of the evaporator tank,

- (b) the condenser unit is guided around the evaporator tank covering an arc around the evaporator tank of at least 70°, at least 80°, at least 100° or at least 120°, and

- (c) the ratio R between the condenser unit longitudinal extension L to the condenser unit maximum or average cross extension Q is at least 10, at least 15 or at least 20.

'Longitudinal extension' is the extension when the condenser unit is straightened to a line and such straightening is 'theoretically' not deteriorating the heat exchanging efficiency of the condenser unit. The cross extension is the average extension of such straightened condenser unit perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The 'arc around the condenser' is measured from the geometrical 'center' of the evaporator tank.

Preferably the washing liquid is washing liquid circulated from the interior of the tub through the liquid passage (see below). Alternatively or additionally the washing liquid may be water supplied from an external water tap or a mixture of water supplied from the external water tap and a washing agent (e.g. detergent, conditioner, softener and the like).

The alternatives (a), (b), and/or (c) mentioned above are disclosed herein. The condenser unit may be combined with (a), or (b), or (c), or (a) and (b), or (a) and (c), or (b) and (c), or (a) and (b) and (c). In this or an analog way all and/or conjunctions mean this single or multiple combinations.

Preferably at least 80%, 90% or the whole condenser unit is guided along an outer wall of the evaporator tank - with respect to the length of the condenser unit which is in heatexchanging contact between the refrigerant passage and the washing liquid passage.

According to another configuration of the laundry treatment machine, a laundry treatment machine is provided, in particular a washing machine or a washer dryer. The machine comprises: a cabinet housing a tub and a drum rotatably arranged in the tub for washing laundry therein; a heat pump having a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser; an evaporator tank storing a heat exchanging medium and housing and/or being in heat contact with at least a portion of the evaporator; a condenser unit comprising the condenser and a liquid passage for flowing washing liquid through the condenser unit, wherein the condenser and the liquid passage are arranged in a heatexchanging manner for transferring heat between the condenser and the liquid in the liquid passage; and a washing liquid circulation unit which is adapted to circulate the washing liquid from the tub through the liquid passage of the condenser and back to the tub.

Preferably the condenser unit has an elongate longitudinal extension. The condenser unit is extending along a curved or arcuate path in a plane oriented perpendicular to the drum rotation axis or oriented at an angle in a range of 70° to 90° with respect to the drum rotation axis. In addition or as an alternative the condenser unit is guided around the drum rotation axis covering an arc around the drum rotation axis of at least 90°, at least 120°, at least 160°, at least 180°, at least 220° or at least 250°. Preferably the arc around the drum rotation axis is in a range of 100 to 130°, 120 to 160°, 150 to 230° or 210 to 290°.

'Longitudinal extension' is the extension when the condenser unit is straightened to a line and such straightening is 'theoretically' not deteriorating the heat exchanging efficiency of the condenser unit - see further comments in the following. The cross extension is the average extension of such straightened condenser unit perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. I.e. the basic layout of the condenser unit does not require that the condenser is formed as a compact block.

Preferably the washing liquid is washing liquid circulated from the interior of the tub through the liquid passage (see below). Alternatively or additionally the washing liquid may be water supplied from an external water tap or a mixture of water supplied from the external water tap and a washing agent (e.g. detergent, conditioner, softener and the like).

The drum rotation axis may be oriented horizontally or may be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane by a maximum of 10° or 20°. The laundry treatment machine may be a top-loading machine, but preferably is a front-loading machine. Preferably the ratio R between the condenser unit longitudinal extension L to the condenser unit maximum or average cross extension Q is at least 10, at least 15 or at least 20.

The condenser unit may be formed of or may comprise tubes arranged in heat contact with each other, wherein in at least one tube the refrigerant is flowing and/or in at least one other tube the washing liquid is flowing. E.g. the refrigerant tube(s) is in heat contact with the washing liquid tube(s).

Preferably the condenser unit is or comprises a tube-in-tube arrangement, where a smaller diameter tube is arranged in a larger diameter tube. In such tube-in-tube arrangement e.g. the refrigerant (or the washing liquid) is flowing in the larger diameter tube around the smaller diameter tube and in the smaller diameter tube the washing liquid (or the refrigerant) is flowing. When the refrigerant is flowing in the larger diameter tube, the required cross section for refrigerant flow is low, but when the refrigerant is flowing in the outer pipe, the heat exchanging area is increased as compared to the refrigerant flowing in the inner tube, as the cross section for the inner tube where the washing liquid flows is high. On the other hand, the washing liquid flow in the smaller diameter inner tube may reduce the risk of clogging as the tube wall surface is minimized (e.g. no outer surface of an inner tube).

Preferably the refrigerant and the washing liquids are flowing in opposite directions in the heat-connected tubes (counterflow) resulting in higher heat exchanging efficiency.

Preferably the condenser unit is arranged within the cabinet housing facing the inner side of the cabinet back-wall or is arranged within a condenser housing or channel arranged at the rear side of the cabinet back wall. A channel or portion of the condenser housing at the back-wall may be formed by the back-wall (e.g. may be a molded and/or unitary part of the back- wall). Even if the condenser unit is arranged at the inner side of the back-wall, a channel may be formed at the inner side for receiving the condenser unit.

The heat exchanging medium may be a low temperature freezing liquid, or preferably water which is more 'environment friendly'. Any feature disclosed herein (for the above embodiments and/or configurations and from the below described detailed embodiments and modifications) can be combined with the claimed subject individually or in any sub -combination.

Reference is made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures, which show:

Fig. 1 a perspective outer appearance of a washing machine with a top module,

Fig. 2 a front view of the washing machine of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 a side view of the washing machine of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 a top view of the washing machine of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 A a perspective view of the top module of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 a cross section of an exemplary condenser,

Fig. 5A an exploded view of the top module of Fig. 4A in a first embodiment,

Fig. 5B a front view of the top module of Fig. 5A without the top wall and the evaporator tank cover,

Fig. 5C a bottom view of the top module of Fig. 5A without the top wall and the evaporator tank cover,

Fig. 5D a top view of the top module of Fig. 5A without the top wall and the evaporator tank cover,

Fig. 6 A an exploded view of the top module of Fig. 4 A in a second embodiment,

Fig. 6B a perspective view from the bottom of the top module of Fig. 6 A,

Fig. 6C a front view of the top module of Fig. 6 A without the top wall and the evaporator tank cover, Fig. 6D a bottom view of the top module of Fig. 6 A without the top wall and the evaporator tank cover,

Fig. 6E a top view of the top module of Fig. 6 A without the top wall and the evaporator tank cover,

Fig. 7 a top view of the top module of Fig. 4 A without the top wall with an intersection line,

Fig. 8 two sectional views of the top module according to the intersection line of Fig. 7,

Fig. 9 a perspective view of the washing machine of Fig. 1 without the front wall,

Fig. 10 a perspective view of the washing machine of Fig. 9 with an exploded top module,

Fig. 11 a perspective view of the washing machine of Fig. 9 with a separate and exploded top module,

Fig. 12 a top view of the washing machine of Fig. 11 without the top module,

Fig. 12a a perspective view of a washing machine with a top module and another configuration of the evaporator,

Fig. 12b the upper part of the washing machine of Fig. 12a,

Fig. 12c the evaporator of Fig. 12a without the remaining components of the washing machine,

Fig. 13 a perspective outer appearance of a washer dryer with a top module,

Fig. 13A a perspective view of the washer dryer of Fig. 13 without the front wall,

Fig. 14 a perspective view of the washer dryer of Fig. 13 without the top wall and the evaporator tank cover, Fig. 15 another perspective view of the washer dryer of Fig. 14,

Fig. 16 a perspective view of the washer dryer of Fig. 13 without the cabinet housing and the evaporator tank,

Fig. 17 a side view of the upper half of the washer dryer of Fig. 16,

Fig. 18 a perspective view of the washer dryer of Fig. 16 without the evaporator,

Fig. 19 a rear view of the washer dryer of Fig 14 without the side and rear wall,

Fig. 20 a rear view of the washer dryer of Fig 19 without the evaporator tank,

Fig. 21 a perspective outer appearance of a washing machine with a back module,

Fig. 21 A a perspective view of the washing machine of Fig. 21 without the top and front wall,

Fig. 22 a perspective view from the back of the washing machine of Fig. 21 without the cabinet housing,

Fig. 23 another perspective view of the washing machine of Fig. 22 without the cabinet housing,

Fig. 24 the perspective view of the washing machine of Fig. 22 without the back- module cover and the evaporator tank,

Fig. 25 a rear view of the washing machine of Fig. 24,

Fig. 26 a perspective view of the back module, the refrigerant circulation circuit and the washing liquid circulation unit according to the washing machine of Fig. 25,

Fig. 27 another perspective view of the back module, the refrigerant circulation circuit and the washing liquid circulation unit according to Fig. 26, Fig. 28 the perspective view of Fig. 27 without the back-module cover,

Fig. 29 a front view of the washing machine according to Fig. 28,

Fig. 30 a top view of the washing machine according to Fig. 28,

Fig. 31 a perspective view of the back module in an exploded view, the refrigerant circulation circuit and the washing liquid circulation unit according to Fig. 26 without the bottom of the washing machine,

Fig. 32 schematic diagram of the heating process during circulation of the washing liquid in the washing machines according to Figs. 1 and 21, and

Fig. 33 schematic diagram of the heating and cooling process during circulation of the washing liquid in the washer dryer according to Fig. 13.

First Embodiment: Washing Machine with Evaporator and Condenser in the Top Module

Figures 1 to 12 are related to the first embodiment. It is noted that modifications according to any of the other embodiments may be made on the first embodiment. Features from the other embodiments or as disclosed in the introductory part may be included in the first embodiment or from the figures as a selective single feature or as any sub-combination of features for providing an additional functional element to the first embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective outer appearance of an exemplary washing machine 2 with a top module 6. Figs. 2 to 4 show a front, a side and a top view of the washing machine 2 according to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the washing machine 2 has a cabinet housing 4 comprising two side walls 10, a front wall 8, a bottom (plate or shell) 90 (see: Fig. 9), a rear wall 24 (see: Fig. 1C) and a top wall 9. At the front wall 8 a loading opening 16 which is closed by a door 18 is provided for loading laundry into the washing machine 2. The upper region of the machine front face comprises a detergent drawer 12 with a handle 13 which is preferably arranged at the left side of the upper region. The detergent drawer 12 is used for storing and in particular for providing washing agents (e.g. detergent, softener, conditioner or other treatment agents) during washing cycles. The washing machine 2 further has a control panel 14 preferably arranged at the middle and/or right side of the upper region of the machine front face. The control panel 14 preferably comprises a display for displaying information about the washing program (e. g. energy consumption, duration of the washing cycle and the like) and an input device. In this case, the input device is a control knob provided for selecting between different washing programs. The knob is preferably arranged between the control panel 14 and the detergent drawer 12.

The front wall 8 may comprise an air inlet opening 20 which may be arranged near the center. A cover for service opening 22 may be provided e.g. on the right side of the lower region of the front wall 8. The air inlet opening 20 enables air entering the interior of the washing machine 2. The air passing through the inlet opening 20 may be provided for cooling the compressor and further electronic components inside the washing machine 2 with air. According to the embodiment, the top wall 9 is part of the top module 6 which outer appearance is shown in Fig. 4A.

In the depicted embodiment, the washing machine 2 (see: Figs. 1A to ID and 4) is a front- loading machine having preferably a horizontal drum rotation axis, but in alternative embodiments the drum may be inclined relative to the horizontal and vertical directions, or the washing machine/washer dryer may be a vertical rotation axis washing machine/washer dryer in which the drum rotates around a vertical axis and where toploading is provided.

The refrigerant flow direction 43 and the washing liquid flow direction 59 are indicated by arrows in some of the following Figures (see: Figs. 5C, 6B, 6D, 11, 16 and 28). Therefore, a dashed arrow defines the washing liquid flow direction 59 and a filled arrow the refrigerant flow direction 43. These definitions for the flow directions are valid for the figures herein.

Fig. 5A is an exploded view of the top module of Fig. 4A in a first configuration. Figs. 5B to 5D show a front, a bottom and a top view of the top module of Fig. 5A without the top wall 9 and without an evaporator tank cover 36. As shown in Fig. 5A, the top module 6 comprises an evaporator tank 38, the evaporator tank cover 36 and the top cover 9. The top cover 9 preferably forms part of the cabinet housing 4 as a top. Further, the top cover 9 may cover the evaporator tank 36 and the evaporator tank cover 38 and the left and right side of the top cover 9 may be folded by 90 degrees for also covering the sides of the evaporator tank 38. The evaporator tank 38 may be sealed by a seal 40 extending along the edge of the opening of the evaporator tank 38 or any other sealing mechanism and is closed by the evaporator tank cover 36. The evaporator tank cover 36 may have any form that seals the evaporator tank 38. In this case, the evaporator tank cover 36 may have four comers and the two comers on the right side may be rounded corners.

The evaporator tank 38 may be a closed tank for permanently storing a heat exchanging medium. Preferably an evaporator 42, a compressor 44 and refrigerant lines (e.g. second refrigerant conduit section 50 (optional), refrigerant line 50a) are arranged at or within the top module 6. Preferably the evaporator 42 is arranged or received inside the evaporator tank 38. The evaporator 42 is in heat exchanging contact with the heat exchanging medium for enabling heat exchange between said medium and the refrigerant flowing inside the conduits of the evaporator 42. The evaporator 42 may have e. g. a meandering structure or any other structure and may be used for warming the circulating refrigerant and/or cooling the heat exchanging medium. The warmed refrigerant may be used for warming the circulating washing liquid in a washing machine 2. The evaporator 42 may be provided on the left side of the evaporator tank 38 and an extension region of the tank may be formed above the compressor 44. As shown in Fig. 8, the tank 38 forms a recess above the compressor and thus receives the compressor partially. When the compressor is arranged below a portion of the tank heat dissipated from the compressor may be deposited in the medium for heating up the medium and at the same time to shield the top wall 9 from heat. The compressor 44 may arranged below the tank as shown for this embodiment and may be disposed on the right side of the evaporator tank 38. However in a modification not shown the compressor and the tank are arranged side by side without an overlap when seen from above or the tank 38 and the compressor may be arranged in any other positional relation to each other within the top module 6.

The compressor 44 is used for increasing the pressure of the refrigerant and for circulating the refrigerant within a refrigerant circulation circuit 45. The refrigerant line 50a (Fig. 6A) is preferably arranged between the evaporator 42 and an extension region of the tank 38 and the optional second refrigerant conduit section 50 (Fig. 5A) is preferably arranged within the tank 38, for example in the extension region of the tank which is formed and/or located above the compressor 44. The refrigerant is circulated through the first, second, third, fourth and fifth refrigerant circuit section in the refrigerant circulation circuit 45 (not necessarily in this order). As shown in Fig. 5D the refrigerant circulation circuit 45 there may be an optional second refrigerant conduit section 50 which is for example a refrigerant line connecting the compressor outlet and the condenser inlet or connecting the condenser outlet with expansion device 48. The second refrigerant conduit section 50 preferably deposits a small portion of the refrigerant heated by the compressor activity into the tank 38 to heat-up or deice the heat-exchanging medium in the tank. Further it is adapted to deposit excessive heat of the heat pump system in the tank medium from where it is used in the running or following washing liquid heating. Optional second refrigerant conduit section 50 may have an inlet and outlet which are preferably provided in correspondence to one of the refrigerant connections 70. Refrigerant connections 70 may be arranged at the tank 38, preferably at the bottom region of the tank, e.g. as depicted at the lower right comer of the evaporator tank 38. The second refrigerant conduit 50 may be routed in the tank 38 above the compressor 44 and may form one (as shown) or more curves. The conduit section 50 may be parallel to an edge of the evaporator tank 38 e.g. on the right side In addition to the heat exchange between the evaporator 42 and the heat exchanging medium inside the evaporator tank 38, the optional second refrigerant conduit section 50 may thus be used for heating the heat exchanging medium inside the evaporator tank 38. Providing such a conduit section is as well applicable in the evaporator tanks of the other embodiments. For example, a conduit section 50 may be provided in the horizontal evaporator tank 38 as shown in Fig. 13ff (2nd embodiment) or in the vertical evaporator tank 38 as shown in Fig. 2 Iff (3rd embodiment).

As shown in Figs. 5B and 5C, the top module 6 comprises a heat pump. The heat pump comprises the compressor 44, a condenser 68 and the evaporator 42. The condenser 68 may be arranged in a recess that may form a channel extending along the sides of the evaporator tank 38. The evaporator 42 and the condenser 68 may be arranged in the same plane and the condenser 68 is guided at least partially around the evaporator 42. In an alternative configuration the condenser 68 extends along one side, two sides, three sides or four sides of the evaporator tank 38. The condenser 68 has a washing liquid condenser inlet 62 and outlet 60 and a refrigerant condenser inlet 61 and outlet 63. The condenser 68 is used for heating the washing liquid within a washing liquid circulation unit 100.

Fig. 5C shows further details of the refrigerant circulation circuit 45 which may be arranged at the underside of the evaporator tank 38. The refrigerant flows through the first, second, third, fourth and fifth refrigerant circuit sections. A first refrigerant circuit section 46 extends between the refrigerant condenser outlet 63 and the evaporator inlet 57, a third refrigerant circuit section 52 between the evaporator outlet 58 and a compressor inlet 64, a fourth refrigerant circuit section 54 between a compressor outlet 76 and the refrigerant condenser inlet 61, and a fifth refrigerant circuit section 55 between the refrigerant condenser inlet 61 and outlet 63 which in this example are the inlet and outlet of an outer tube 80 of the condenser (see Fig. 8).

Fig. 5 shows an example of the condenser unit in cross section. In this example the inner tube has an inner diameter of 16 mm and a wall thickness of 1 mm. The outer tube has an inner diameter of 20 mm and a wall thickness of 1 mm. The heat insulating layer has a thickness of about 2 mm. Other dimension specifications for the condenser unit 68 are given above in the introductory part.

The refrigerant circulation circuit 45 may also have the refrigerant line 50a which guides the refrigerant within the tank to the evaporator 42. An expansion device 48 (e. g. a capillary or expansion valve) may be provided within the first refrigerant conduit section 46 which controls the amount of refrigerant released into the evaporator. The compressor 44 may be arranged at the side of the evaporator tank 38 or may be arranged below or to the bottom of the tank, e.g. below an extension region of the tank. The compressor may be mounted to the evaporator tank 38 with fastening elements, e. g. with screws and/or a first 72 and/or a second support structure 74.

Fig. 6A shows an exploded view of the top module of Fig. 4A in a second configuration. Figs. 6B-D show a perspective, a front, a bottom and a top view of the top module of Fig. 6A without the top wall and the evaporator tank cover. The structure of the second configuration of the top module 6 is mainly the same as of the first configuration of the top module 6 (see: Fig. 5A-D) and only differs in a few features. It is noted that features of the first configuration of the top module may be combined with the second configuration - and vice versa - by taking features from the one configuration to the other configuration individually or in any sub-combination.

Therefore, in the following only the differences are described and the parts of the description according to Fig. 5A-D which are not related to these differences are also valid for Figs. 6A-E. Fig. 6E shows the refrigerant line 50a inside the evaporator tank 38. The refrigerant line 50a may be parallel to the edge of the right side of the evaporator tank 38. Here the second refrigerant circuit section 50 known from the first configuration of the top module of Fig. 5A is not arranged above the compressor 44 or within the tank 38 (e.g. it is not provided at all).

As shown in Figs. 6B and 6D, in a first refrigerant circuit section 46a, the refrigerant from the refrigerant condenser outlet 63 is directed to the evaporator inlet 57 (see: 6B) and within the evaporator 42 to the evaporator outlet 58. After exiting the evaporator 42 through the evaporator outlet 58, the refrigerant is further directed to the compressor inlet 64 (by the third refrigerant circuit section 52). Each of the evaporator inlet 57 and outlet 58 may be associated or in correspondence to one of the refrigerant connections 70 which are preferably arranged at the evaporator tank 38 (e.g. at the lower right comer of the tank considering the top view of Fig. 6E).

Fig. 7 is a top view of the top module 6 of Fig. 2 without the top wall 9. Fig. 8 shows two sectional views of the top module 6 according to the intersection line B-B of Fig. 7. The first and second support structures 72, 74 which may mount the compressor 44 at e. g. the right side of the evaporator tank 38 are shown. There is an opening extending through both support structures 72, 74 for the compressor inlet 64 of the third refrigerant conduit section 52.

The condenser 68 shown in Fig. 8 may be a tube-in-tube condenser consisting of an inner tube 78 for guiding the washing liquid, the outer tube 80 for guiding the refrigerant and an insulation layer 82 when starting from the inside of the condenser 68. The flow direction of the refrigerant and the washing liquid within the condenser 68 may be opposite to improve the heat exchange.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the washing machine 2 of Fig. 1 without the front wall. Figs. 10 and 11 show perspective views of the washing machine 2 of Fig. 9 with exploded views of the top module 6 and Fig. 12 shows a top view of the washing machine of Fig. 11 without the evaporator tank 38 and the top wall 9.

As shown in Fig. 9, a tub 94 and a drum 96 rotatably arranged in the tub 94 and in which laundry is received, are arranged inside the cabinet housing 4. The tub 94 may be suspended by springs and counterbalances for stabilizing the tub 94 and the drum 96. For preventing water of entering the washing machine 2, except the tub 94 and drum 96, a bellow 98 may be mounted to the tub 94 or to the tub 94 and to the front wall 8. Further, a detergent drawer housing 92 for receiving the drawer 12 is arranged in the upper region of the washing machine 2. The detergent drawer housing 92 is preferably arranged on the left side of the upper region of the washing machine 2. The detergent drawer 12 is inserted into the detergent drawer housing 92. The structure of the top module 6 which is mounted on top of the cabinet housing 4 corresponds to the structure of the top module 6 described according to Figs. 6A-E above. The top module 6 may be mounted on the cabinet housing 4 by fastener elements, e. g. by screws or snap-in elements.

Fig. 11 shows how the conduits of the top module 6 are connected to the conduits of the washing machine 2. A fourth water circulation section lOOd is connected to the washing liquid condenser outlet 60 and a second water circulation section 100b is connected to the washing liquid condenser inlet 62.

As shown in Figs. 9-12, the washing liquid supplied to the tub of the washing machine 2 is further used in a washing liquid circulation unit 100 to save water. In the washing liquid circulation unit 100, the washing liquid is guided through a first, second, third and fourth water circulation section. As shown in Fig. 11, a first water circulation section 100a extends between an outlet of the tub 94 (e.g. via a sump 140) and an inlet 106a of a circulation pump (jet pump) 106, the second water circulation section 100b between an outlet 106b of the circulation pump 106 and the washing liquid condenser inlet 62, a third water circulation section 100c between the washing liquid condenser inlet 62 and outlet 60 (at the condenser), and the fourth water circulation section lOOd between the washing liquid condenser outlet 60 and an water inlet 102 into tub 94. The circulation pump 106 is preferably arranged in the bottom region of the washing machine 2, e.g. in the lower left corner at the front of the washing machine 2. The circulation pump 106 is used to drain washing liquid (during a washing phase) or water (during a rinsing phase) from the sump of the tub 140 (see Fig. 32), in particular it may drain the liquid sucked from a drain manifold which is arranged at the lower part of the sump 140, and recirculate the liquid to the upper part of the tub 94 where the liquid is introduced into the tub by the water inlet 102.

The washing liquid is circulated in the washing liquid circulation unit 100 through the water circulation sections lOOa-d during a washing cycle and is heated by the heated refrigerant during passing the condenser 68. The drain pump 142, which is connected to a tub outlet (e.g. via the sump 140, in particular from the drain manifold which is arranged at the lower part of the sump 140) may be connected to a water drain 112 which is used for draining the washing liquid at the end of a washing cycle out of the washing machine 2. The drain pump 142 is preferably arranged in the bottom region of the washing machine, e.g. in the lower right corner at the front of the washing machine 2. Fig. 9 shows a filter/service opening 108 preferably for removing the fluff which accumulates during washing and/or for performing service operations. The water inlet 102 into the tub may be a nozzle preferably arranged at the loading opening 16, bellow 98 or at the tub 94, or may be a manifold fluidly connected to the detergent drawer housing 92 from where the washing liquid flows into the tub 94.

The washing machine 2 may have a mixing pump 143 which may be connected to the sump 140, in particular to the drain manifold which is arranged at the lower part of the sump 140, and which drains water and detergent from the sump 140 at the beginning of a washing cycle after detergent has been introduced into the tub 94 and re-send the water and detergent to the sump 140, in particular to the tub 94 below a water heater 141 (not shown, see Fig. 32). Thereby, the mixture and dissolution of the detergent in the water can be improved and accelerated. The mixing pump 143 is preferably arranged in the bottom region of the washing machine, e.g. in the lower right corner at the front of the washing machine 2. More preferably, the drain pump 142 and the mixing pump 143 are integrated in a pump group.

Preferably a filter of the filter opening 108 is provided upstream of the mixing and drain circuit.

As shown in Fig. 12, a water supply unit 116 connected to the detergent drawer housing 92 may provide fresh water from the outside of the washing machine 2 to flush the detergent from the detergent drawer 12 through the water supply 114 and a tub inlet 118 into tub 94.

In the first embodiment, the operation mode of circulating the washing liquid within the washing liquid circulation unit 100 during a washing cycle and the way in which the washing liquid is heated within the condenser 68 is further explained with respect to Fig 32.

Fig. 12a is a perspective view of the washing machine 2 with a top module 6a and another configuration of the evaporator 42. The differences between the washing machine 2 according to Figs. 12a-c and the washing machine 2 of Fig. 11 are outlined in the following. Otherwise the description above and below with respect to the other elements correspondingly also apply to the embodiment of Figs. 12a-c. The heat pump comprises the compressor 44, the evaporator 42 and the condenser 68 which are preferably arranged at the inside of the washing machine 2. The compressor 44 is preferably arranged in the bottom region, e.g. at the lower left comer at the front of the washer dryer 26.

The refrigerant circulation circuit 45 comprises a first, third, fourth and fifth refrigerant circuit section. The third and fourth refrigerant circuit section 52A, 54A which preferably extend between the top and the bottom of the washing machine 2 are preferably flexible pipes. The piping of the remaining refrigerant circuit sections 46, 46a, 50A - except the piping of the heat exchanger(s) itself, may also be provided as flexible pipes. The flexible pipes may be easily adapted to paths which are not straight without requiring mechanical bending as it is the case when using e. g. copper pipes. A first refrigerant circuit section 46 A (cf. Fig. 11) extends from the refrigerant condenser outlet 63 to the evaporator inlet 57, a third refrigerant circuit section 52A from the evaporator outlet 58 to the compressor inlet 64, a fourth refrigerant circuit section 54A from the compressor outlet 76 to the refrigerant condenser inlet 61 and the fifth refrigerant circuit section 55 extends from the refrigerant condenser inlet 61 to the refrigerant condenser outlet 63 (see: Fig. 11; refrigerant flow within the condenser outer tube 80, see: Fig. 8). The first refrigerant circuit section 46A may be arranged at the underside of the evaporator tank 38 and may comprise the expansion device 48 for controlling the amount of refrigerant released into the evaporator 42. A large part of the third and fourth refrigerant circuit sections 52A, 54A may extend between the bottom region and the top region where the top module 6a is arranged. The circuit sections may run along at the left side of the washing machine 2 from bottom to top parallel to the side wall 10 (see: Fig. 15).

The washing liquid supplied to the tub 94 of the washing machine 2 is circulated by and through a washing liquid circulation unit 100 to save water and energy. In the washing liquid circulation unit 100, the washing liquid is guided through the first, second, third and fourth water circulation sections 100a, 100B, 100c, lOOd. The first water circulation section 100a - not shown - connects the tub outlet (e.g. at the sump) to the circulation pump 106. The circulation pump is preferably arranged in the bottom region, e.g. at the lower right corner at the front of the washing machine 2. The second water circulation section 100B extends between an outlet of the circulation pump 106 and the washing liquid condenser inlet 62, the third water circulation section 100c between the washing liquid condenser inlet 62 and outlet 60 (within the condenser inner tube 78, see: Fig. 8), and the fourth water circulation section lOOd connects the washing liquid condenser outlet 60 to the tub via the nozzle 102. As shown in Fig. 12a, a portion of the second water circulation section 100B may extend along a side wall or a corner of the washing machine 2, e.g. at the left side parallel to the side wall 10.

The circulation pump 106 is preferably arranged in the bottom region of the washing machine 2, e.g. in the lower left corner at the front of the washing machine 2. The circulation pump 106 is used to drain washing liquid (during a washing phase) or water (during a rinsing phase) from the sump of the tub 140 (see Fig. 32), in particular from the drain manifold which is arranged at the lower part of the sump 140, and recirculate the liquid to the upper part of the tub 94 where the liquid is introduced into the tub by the water inlet 102. The washing machine 2 in Fig. 12a comprises the drain pump (not shown, but compare 142 in Figs. 32, 33). The drain pump, which is connected to a tub outlet (e.g. via the sump 140, in particular from the drain manifold which is arranged at the lower part of the sump 140) may be connected to the water drain 112 (not shown) which is used for draining the washing liquid at the end of a washing cycle out of the washing machine 2. The drain pump is preferably arranged in the bottom region of the washing machine, e.g. in the lower right corner at the front of the washing machine 2 (corresponding to the drain pump 142 in Figs. 32, 33).

Fig. 12b shows the upper part of the washing machine of Fig. 12a and Fig. 12c shows the evaporator of Fig. 12a without the remaining components of the washing machine and the evaporator tank 38. The evaporator tank 38 comprises the evaporator 42 and may form with the evaporator tank cover 36 a closed tank for permanently storing a heat exchanging medium. The evaporator 42 is surrounded by the heat exchanging medium. Refrigerant lines 50A are provided (at least partially) inside the evaporator tank 38 which guide the circulated refrigerant from the expansion device to the evaporator 42 and from the evaporator to the compressor 44. The evaporator inlet 57 and outlet 58 may be arranged at the bottom of the evaporator tank 38, e.g. near the front wall 8 of the washing machine 2.

Preferably the tube forming the evaporator 42 in the tank 38 is extending in one plane only, e.g. in the horizontal plane within the top module 6a. The tube forming the evaporator 42 which is specified in the following may also be provided in the vertical plane within the back module 136 as shown in Fig. 2 Iff (3rd embodiment). Thereby the dimension of the evaporator and in consequence of the evaporator tank in a direction perpendicular to this plane is small. As shown in Figs. 12a- 12c, the evaporator 42 preferably has a meandering structure extending in a single plane, in a single horizontal plane, parallel to the bottom of the evaporator tank 38. The straight sections of the meandering structure of the evaporator 42 may be arranged in any angle to the edges of the sides of the evaporator tank 38. Preferably the straight sections of the meandering structure of the evaporator 42 are arranged parallel to the edges of the sides of the evaporator tank 38. The outer tube 80 of the evaporator 42 may have an external diameter in the range of 5 mm and 7 mm, 6 mm and 8 mm or 7 mm and 9 mm. Preferably the outer tube 80 has an external diameter of 7 mm. Each bend of the evaporator may have a curvature radius between 12 mm and 16 mm, 14 mm and 18 mm or 16 mm and 20 mm, but preferably the curvature radius is 15 mm. The tubes forming the evaporator may have a pitch between 24 mm and 28 mm, 28 mm and 32 mm or 32 mm and 36 mm, but preferably the pitch is 30 mm.

The evaporator may have sections between the evaporator inlet 57 and the evaporator outlet 58 which form one or more curves. In addition, these sections may extend parallel along at least one edge of the evaporator tank 38, respectively.

Second Embodiment: Washer Dryer with Evaporator and Condenser in the Top Module

Figures 13 to 20 are related to the second embodiment. It is noted that modifications according to any of the other embodiments may be made combined with the second embodiment. Features from the other embodiments or as disclosed in the introductory part or figures may be included in the second embodiment as a selective single feature or as any sub-combination of features for providing an additional functional element to the second embodiment In the following basically the differences to the first embodiment are described in more detail and the parts of the description of the other embodiments, which are not related to these differences, are also valid for the second embodiment.

Fig. 13 shows a perspective outer appearance of an exemplary washer dryer 26 with a top module 6a. The outer appearance of the washer dryer 26 comprising the cabinet housing 4 and the like corresponds to the outer appearance of the washing machine 2 of Fig 1. The inner structure of the top module 6a may be different to the inner structure of the top module 6 of the washing machine.

Fig. 13A is a perspective view of the washer dryer 26 of Fig. 13 without the front wall 8. The heat pump comprises the compressor 44, the evaporator 42 and the condenser 68 which are preferably arranged at the inside of the washer dryer 26. The compressor 44 is preferably arranged in the bottom region, e.g. at the lower left comer at the front of the washer dryer 26. The washer dryer 26 comprises the top module 6 A which is described in more detail with respect to Fig. 14. Within the washer dryer 26, drying air is circulated in a drying air circulation circuit 124, refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation circuit 45 and washing liquid in the washing liquid circulation unit 100. Parts of the drying air circulation circuit 124, a return duct 124c and a heater element 124d are shown in Fig. 13A. Further, the washer dryer 26 comprises the circulation pump 106 and a filter/service opening 108. The circulation pump 106 is preferably arranged in the bottom region of the washer dryer 26, e.g. in the lower right corner at the front of the washer dryer 26 and the filter/service opening 108 may be arranged next to the circulation pump 106. The circulation pump 106 is used to drain washing liquid (during a washing phase) or water (during a rinsing phase) from the sump of the tub 140 (see Fig. 33), in particular from the drain manifold which is arranged at the lower part of the sump 140, and recirculate the liquid to the upper part of the tub 94 where the liquid is introduced into the tub via tub water supply 114. The washer dryer 26 comprises the drain pump (not shown, but which may be provided as the drain pump 142 shown in Figs. 32, 33). The drain pump, which is connected to a tub outlet (e.g. via the sump 140, in particular from the drain manifold which is arranged at the lower part of the sump 140) may be connected to the water drain 112 (not shown) which is used for draining the washing liquid at the end of a washing cycle out of the washer dryer 26. The drain pump is preferably arranged in the bottom region of the washer dryer, e.g. in the lower right corner at the front of the washer dryer 26.

Figs. 14 and 15 show perspective views of the washer dryer of Fig. 13 without the top wall 9 and the evaporator tank cover 36. The evaporator tank 38 comprises the evaporator 42 and may form with the evaporator tank cover 36 a closed tank for permanently storing a heat exchanging medium. The evaporator 42 is surrounded by the heat exchanging medium. Refrigerant lines 50A are provided (at least partially) inside the evaporator tank 38 which guide the circulated refrigerant from the expansion device to the evaporator 42 and from the evaporator to the compressor (see: Fig. 16). The evaporator inlet 57 and outlet 58 may be arranged at the bottom of the evaporator tank 38, e.g. near the front wall 8 of the washer dryer 26. The straight sections of the conduit of the evaporator 42 may be arranged parallel to the edge of the side of the evaporator tank 38 or in any other angle, preferably parallel to the edge of the evaporator tank 38. The conduit of the evaporator 42 may have any structure, e. g. a meandering structure. The heat between the heat exchanging medium and the refrigerant is exchanged during flowing of the refrigerant through the evaporator 42. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the washer dryer of Fig. 13 without the cabinet housing 4 and the evaporator tank 38. The refrigerant circulation circuit 45 comprises a first, second, third, fourth and fifth refrigerant circuit section. A first refrigerant circuit section 46A extends from the refrigerant condenser outlet 63 to the evaporator inlet 57, a third refrigerant circuit section 52A from the evaporator outlet 58 to the compressor inlet 64, a fourth refrigerant circuit section 54A from the compressor outlet 76 to the refrigerant condenser inlet 61 and the fifth refrigerant circuit section 55 extends from the refrigerant condenser inlet 61 to the refrigerant condenser outlet 63 (refrigerant flow within the condenser outer tube 80, see: Fig. 8). The first refrigerant circuit section 46A may be arranged at the underside of the evaporator tank 38 and may comprise the expansion device 48 for controlling the amount of refrigerant released into the evaporator 42. A large part of the third and fourth refrigerant circuit sections 52A, 54A may extend between the bottom region and the top region where the top module 6a is arranged. The circuit sections may run along at the left side of the washer dryer 26 from bottom to top parallel to the side wall 10 (see: Fig. 15). The third and fourth refrigerant circuit section 52A, 54A which preferably extend between the top and the bottom of the washer dryer are preferably flexible pipes. The other piping of the refrigerant circuit sections 46A, 50A (preferably except the heat exchanger piping itself) may also be flexible pipes. The flexible pipes may be easily adapted to paths which are not straight without requiring mechanical bending as it is the case when e. g. using copper pipes.

The washing liquid supplied to the tub 94 of the washer dryer 26 is circulated by and through a washing liquid circulation unit 100 to save water and energy. In the washing liquid circulation unit 100 (Fig. 16), the washing liquid is guided through the first, second, third and fourth water circulation sections 100A, 100B, 100c, 100D. The first water circulation section 100A connects the tub outlet (e.g. at the sump) to the circulation pump 106. A second water circulation section 100B (see also: Fig. 15) extends between an outlet of the circulation pump 106 and the washing liquid condenser inlet 62, the third water circulation section 100c between the washing liquid condenser inlet 62 and outlet 60 (within the condenser inner tube 78, see: Fig. 8), and a fourth water circulation section 100D connects the washing liquid condenser outlet 60 through a detergent drawer housing water inlet 126 to the tub via tub water supply 114. As shown in Fig. 15, a portion of the second water circulation section 100B may extend along a side wall or a corner of the washer dryer 26, e.g. at the left side parallel to the side wall 10. Fig. 17 is a side view of the upper half of the washer dryer of Fig. 16 which shows the tub water supply 114 in more detail. The tub water supply 114 connects the detergent drawer housing 92 to the tub to direct washing liquid into the tub, e.g. through the tub rear wall.

Fig. 18 a perspective view of the washer dryer 26 of Fig. 16 without the evaporator 42 and Fig. 19 shows a rear view of the washer dryer of Fig 14 without the side 10 and rear wall 24. Fig. 20 shows a rear view of the washer dryer of Fig 19 without the evaporator tank and a tub rear wall cover 134 for closing a flow channel 124a.

As shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the drying air circulation circuit 124 comprises the flow channel 124a, which may be arranged at a tub rear wall 132 of the tub 94 connected to an inlet 124e of a blower, a blower 124b and the return duct 124c comprising a heater element 124d. The blower, the return duct 124c and the heater element are preferably arranged in the upper region of the washer dryer 26, e.g. below the top module 6a. At the rear wall 132, the drying air enters from the tub interior through an opening in the tub into the flow channel 124a which may have a vertical portion e.g. on the right side of the tub backwall and then continues into a left curve in the upper region of the tub 94 and then connects to the inlet of blower 124b. Return duct 124c connects the blower outlet to an opening in the gasket 98.

The air is circulated by the blower 124b, heated within the return duct 124c and may be directed into the drum 96 through the top of the bellow 98. In the tub the heated air absorbs the moisture from the laundry within the drum 96 and exits the tub through the flow channel 124a. In the flow channel 124a, the heated air comprising the moisture of the laundry is cooled by an air condensation unit 129. The air may be cooled inside the flow channel 124a by the circulated washing liquid which optionally may be cooled inside the condenser 68 during a drying cycle (see below reverse operation of the heatpump).

The washing liquid may be directed from the washing liquid condenser outlet 60 through the detergent drawer housing water inlet 126 and may enter on the right side the preferably vertical condensation region of the flow channel 124a in the tub rear wall 132 via the tub water supply 114. The washing liquid falls down the condensation region of the flow channel 124a and the counter- flowing drying air with moisture is cooled by the washing liquid and humidity from the drying air is condensed. After passing the air condensation unit 129, the dry air passes the blower 124, the air is heated by the heater element 124d and the air circulation repeats. The condensate of the air condensation unit 129 together with the circulated washing liquid is directed back to the tub 94. Of course during drying operation the 'washing liquid' is preferably water which was introduced as tap water via unit 116 and/or e.g. water that remained from the previous rinsing step.

A drum drive arrangement 130 may comprise a motor 128 and a torque transmission element (e. g. a belt) connecting the motor 128 and the drum 96 for driving the drum 96. The motor 128 may be arranged under the rear region of the tub 94. The blower 124b may be driven by a separate motor or by the motor 128.

The washer dryer of Figs. 13 to 20 preferably provides two different operation modes for the heat-pump system. In the first operation mode of the heat-pump system the operation is equal to the operation mode of the washing machine 2 of the first embodiment in which the washing liquid is circulated in a washing liquid circulation unit 100 and heated in the condenser 68 arranged in the top module 6a. The refrigerant which flows in the condenser outer tube 80 heats the washing liquid passed through the condenser inner tube 78. 1.e. the refrigerant and the circulated washing liquid are in counter-flow, the condenser operates as condenser and heats the washing liquid. The evaporator operates as evaporator and extracts heat from the medium in the evaporator tank.

In the second operation mode outside the compressor the refrigerant flow is reverted such that the condenser 68 operates as evaporator and the evaporator 42 operates as condenser. The washing liquid is cooled within the condenser 68 and then used for the condensation in the air condensation unit 129 at the tub rear wall 132. The switching between the two operation modes of the heat-pump system and the way in which the washing liquid is heated during a washing cycle and is cooled during a drying cycle within the condenser 68 are described in detail with respect to Fig 33.

Third Embodiment: Washing machine with Evaporator and Condenser in the Back Module

Figures 21 to 31 are related to the third embodiment. It is noted that modifications according to any of the other embodiments may be made combined with the third embodiment. Features from the other embodiments or as disclosed in the introductory part or figures may be included in the third embodiment as a selective single feature or as any sub-combination of features for providing an additional functional element to the third embodiment.

Fig. 21 shows a perspective outer appearance of an exemplary washing machine 2 with a back module 136 (see: Fig. 22). The outer appearance is similar to the washing machine 2 of Fig. 1 and the washer dryer 26 of Fig. 13. The front wall 8 may comprise a cover for service opening 22a. The cover for service opening 22a is preferably arranged on the right side of the lower region of the front wall 8. In this case, the top may be formed by a top wall 9a which may be mounted on the cabinet housing 4 by fastener elements, e. g. by screws or snap-in elements. Instead of top module 6, 6a having integrated therein at least parts of a heat-pump system, a back module 136 (Fig. 22) may be arranged at the backside of the washing machine 2. The washing liquid is circulated in a washing liquid circulation unit 100 and may be provided to the tub 94 by the water inlet 102 (nozzle - preferably arranged at the gasket 98).

Fig. 21 A shows a perspective view of the washing machine of Fig. 21 without the top and front wall. The tub 94 may be suspended by springs and counterbalances for stabilizing the tub 94 and the drum 96 are provided. For preventing water of entering the washing machine 2, except the tub 94 and drum 96, a bellow 98 may be mounted to the tub 94 or to the tub 94 and to the front wall 8. Further, a detergent drawer housing 92 for receiving the drawer 12 is arranged in the upper region of the washing machine 2. The detergent drawer housing 92 is preferably arranged on the left side of the upper region of the washing machine 2. The detergent drawer 12 is inserted into the detergent drawer housing 92. The compressor 44 is preferably arranged in a bottom region of the washing machine 2, e.g. at the left front comer within the cabinet. The circulation pump 106 may be arranged in the bottom region, e.g. at the right front comer at the bottom of the washing machine 2. The circulation pump 106 is used to drain washing liquid (during a washing phase) or water (during a rinsing phase) from the sump of the tub 140 (see Fig. 32), in particular from the drain manifold which is arranged at the lower part of the sump 140, and recirculate the liquid to the upper part of the tub 94 where the liquid is introduced into the tub via water inlet 102. The washing machine 2 comprises the drain pump 142 (not shown). The drain pump 142, which is connected to a tub outlet (e.g. via the sump 140, in particular from the drain manifold which is arranged at the lower part of the sump 140) may be connected to the water drain 112 (not shown) which is used for draining the washing liquid at the end of a washing cycle out of the washing machine 2. The drain pump 142 is preferably arranged in the bottom region of the washing machine, e.g. in the lower right corner at the front of the washing machine 2. Fig. 22 is a perspective view from the back of the washing machine of Fig. 21 without the side and front walls. The back module 136 is arranged behind the tub rear wall 132 and is preferably mounted to the cabinet housing or a frame of the washing machine in stationary relation thereto. In an alternative embodiment the back module 136 may be mounted to the rear wall 132. The back module 136 may be parallel to the rear wall 24 (Fig. 21A).

The back-module comprises, a back-module support structure 136d and a back-module cover 136a. The support structure 136b is a mechanical support for the elements of the back-module 136 and may be provided as a shell structure as depicted. The shell structure is adapted to receive the condenser 68 and/or the evaporator 42. For example it may form part of the medium-storing evaporator tank 38. The shell-structure of the back- module may form together with the cover 136a a shell that is encapsulating or enclosing the elements of the back-module 136. Preferably the cover 136a also forms the closing cover for the evaporator tank part that is formed in the shell- structure of the support structure 136b. The evaporator tank 136b may comprise a condenser housing 136c for receiving the condenser 68, preferably in the shape of a channel at least partially surrounding the evaporator tank. The back module 136 may be constructed so that it simultaneously forms the rear wall of the washing machine 2.

Fig. 23 is another perspective view of the washing machine of Fig. 22 without the cabinet housing and Fig. 24 shows the perspective view of the washing machine of Fig. 22 without the back-module cover 136a and the evaporator tank 136b. As shown in Fig 24, the water supply unit 116 may provide washing water to the detergent drawer 12 inserted in the drawer housing 92 and may flush the detergent within the drawer 12 through the tub water supply 114 and the tub inlet 118 into the tub 94. The circulated washing liquid which is directed into the tub 94 through the bellow 98 may as an alternative be directed into the tub 94 through the drawer housing 92 and the tub water supply 114. The compressor 44, the evaporator 42 and the condenser 68 form part of the heat-pump system.

Fig. 25 is a rear view of the washing machine of Fig. 24. The back module 136 comprises the evaporator 42 and the condenser 68 which may extend partially around the evaporator 42 (along three sides of evaporator tank 38 as shown) and/or partially around the axis of the drum 96. Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the back module 136, the refrigerant circulation circuit 45 and the washing liquid circulation unit 100 of the washing machine of Fig. 25. Fig. 27 shows another perspective view of the back module, the refrigerant circuit and the washing liquid circulation unit (Fig. 26). Fig. 28 is the perspective view of Fig. 27 without the cover of the back module 136. As depicted in Figs. 26 to 28, the refrigerant circulation circuit 45 comprises a first, second, third, fourth and fifth refrigerant circuit section. The third and fourth refrigerant circuit section 52B, 54B, which preferably extend between the back and the front of the washing machine 2, are preferably flexible pipes. The remaining refrigerant circuit sections 46B, 50A except the heat exchanger itself may also be flexible pipes. The flexible pipes may be easily adapted to paths which are not straight without requiring mechanical bending as it is the case when using e. g. copper pipes.

A first refrigerant circuit section 46B extends from the refrigerant condenser outlet 63 to the evaporator inlet 57, a refrigerant line 50B forming part of the evaporator) from the evaporator inlet 57 to the evaporator outlet 58, a third refrigerant circuit section 52B from the evaporator outlet 58 to the compressor inlet 64, a fourth refrigerant circuit section 54B from the compressor outlet 76 to the refrigerant condenser inlet 61 and the fifth refrigerant circuit section 55B extends from the refrigerant condenser inlet 61 to the refrigerant condenser outlet 63 (refrigerant flow within the condenser outer tube 80, see: Fig. 8). The first refrigerant circuit section 46B may be arranged bellow the evaporator tank 38 and may comprise an expansion device 48 for controlling the amount of refrigerant released into the evaporator 42. A large part of the third and fourth refrigerant circuit section 52B, 54B may extend at the left side of the washing machine 2 from front to back parallel to the side wall 10 (see: Fig. 15).

In the washing liquid circulation unit 100 the washing liquid is guided through the first, second, third and fourth water circulation section 100a, 100b*, 100c, lOOd*. The first water circulation section 100a connects the tub or sump to the circulation pump 106. A second water circulation section 100b* extends between an outlet of the circulation pump 106 and the washing liquid condenser inlet 62, the third water circulation section 100c (Figs. 28 and 29) between the washing liquid condenser inlet 62 and outlet 60 (within the condenser inner tube 78, see: Fig. 8), and a fourth water circulation section lOOd* between the washing liquid condenser outlet 60 and the water inlet 102 into tub.

As shown in Fig. 28, the condenser 68 may extend around the evaporator 42. A part of the fourth water circulation section lOOd* may extend from the back to the front of the washing machine 2 e.g. parallel to the side wall 10. The third and fourth refrigerant circuit sections 52B, 54B and another part may extend from the bottom to the top of the washing machine 2 in the front left corner. A descending section of the condenser and the fourth water circulation section lOOd* may be formed in a U-form section, e.g. on the left side of the washing machine 2. A small pipe 138 may connect the a lower portion of the U-form section to the sump 140 or the draining pump 142 for draining the remaining water in the U-form section for avoiding a dead volume where liquid may be stored over a long period and may run to seed.

Fig. 29 is a front view of the washing machine corresponding to Fig. 28. Fig. 30 is a top view of the washing machine of Fig. 28. The evaporator 42 may be arranged in the same plane as the condenser 68 or in another plane preferably parallel to the condenser plane. The condenser 68 may be arranged in the condenser housing 136c or receptacle formed in the back- module support structure 136d along the edge of the evaporator tank 136b. In this case, the evaporator plane is arranged parallel to the condenser 68, but in an axially offset plane. Thereby the volume of the tank is expanded to the backside and/or the tank is shifted backward to have room in the interior of the cabinet for the drum drive arrangement (drum bearing and belt).

Fig. 31 is a perspective view of the back module 136 in an exploded view, the refrigerant circuit and the washing liquid circulation unit 100 shown also in Fig. 26 without the bottom of the washing machine. The back module 136 comprises the back- module cover 136a and the back- module support structure 136d which may be mounted by fastening elements as described above, e. g. by screws or snap-in elements. The evaporator tank 38 may be a closed tank for permanently storing a heat exchanging medium as discussed before. The evaporator 42 may be arranged in the evaporator tank 136b centrally or somewhat shifted to the upper region so that additional space is provided for the heat-exchanging medium.

For the third embodiment, the operation mode of circulating the washing liquid within the washing liquid circulation unit 100 during a washing cycle and the way in which the washing liquid is heated within the condenser 68 is further explained with respect to Fig 32.

Fig. 32 is a schematic diagram of the functional elements used for heating the washing liquid during circulation of the washing liquid in the above washing machines (Figs. 1 and 21). As already described above with respect to the washing machines 2 with the top module 6 (Figs. 1 to 12) and back module 136 (Figs. 21 to 31), the washing liquid is circulated in the washing liquid circulation unit 100 and the refrigerant is circulated in the refrigerant circulation circuit 45. In Fig. 32 the washing liquid flow direction 59 and the refrigerant flow direction are indicated by arrows. Starting from the sump 140, in particular from a drain manifold which is arranged at the lower part of the sump 140 of the tub 94, the first water circulation section 100a connects to the inlet 106a of the circulation pump 106. Exiting the circulation pump 106 through the circulation pump outlet 106b, the washing liquid is directed to the condenser 68 by the second water circulation section 100b, 100b*. The washing liquid flows within the condenser 68 through the third water circulation section 100c.

Within the refrigerant circulation circuit 45, starting from the refrigerant condenser outlet 63, the refrigerant is directed by the first refrigerant circuit section 46 through the expansion device 48 to the evaporator 42. The compressor 44 arranged within the refrigerant circulation circuit 45 creates a vacuum applied to the evaporator. The heat exchanging medium in the evaporator tank 38 is in heat-exchanging contact with the evaporator 42. The medium is cooled down and finally changes from the liquid to the solid phase for releasing heat. The heat released heats the refrigerant in the evaporator 42 which then evaporates. The heated refrigerant as a gas phase is sucked by the compressor 44 through the third refrigerant circuit section 52. The compressed refrigerant is passed through the fourth refrigerant circuit section 54 to the condenser 68 through the refrigerant condenser inlet 61. Within the condenser 68, the refrigerant and the washing liquid flow in opposite directions for an improved heat exchange. In the condenser the washing liquid is heated by transferring the heat from the refrigerant to the washing liquid. From the refrigerant condenser inlet 61 to the refrigerant condenser outlet 63, the refrigerant cools down and from the washing liquid condenser inlet 62 to the washing liquid condenser outlet 60, the washing liquid is heated.

The heated washing liquid exits the condenser 68 through the washing liquid condenser outlet 60 and the further flow path of the washing liquid may optionally be selected by a first flow diverter 144A. The first flow diverter 144A may in a first state selectively direct the washing liquid to the tub 94 through the water inlet 102 or in a second state selectively to the drawer housing 92 (e.g. via inlet 126). Instead of providing the first flow diverter 144 A, the circulated washing liquid may also be passed from the condenser outlet to the drawer housing 92. From the drawer housing 92 the washing liquid flows into a manifold 146 which may optionally comprise a second flow diverter 144B (instead or in addition to the first flow diverter 144A). The second flow diverter 144B may in a first state selectively direct the washing liquid through the fourth water circulation section lOOd, lOOd* and the water inlet 102 to the tub 94 and in a second state selectively direct the circulated liquid through the tub water supply 114 into flow channel 124a (which is for example provided in or at the rear wall of the tub 94). The washing liquid flows through the sump 140 out of the tub and is circulated again as described above. At the end of the washing cycle, the washing liquid which exits the tub 94 through the sump 140, in particular from a drain manifold which is arranged at the lower part of the sump 140, is drained by a drain pump 142 through the water drain 112.

In the modification shown in and described in connection with Fig. 5A an optional second refrigerant conduit section 50 (dashed lines in Fig. 32) is connected to the compressor outlet and is guided through the evaporator tank. The refrigerant in section 50 heats the medium (deicing function) and removes excessive heat from the heat-pump system. The conduit section 50 is connected at the other end to the inlet of the condenser 55 and replaces the direct connection between compressor outlet and condenser inlet. Alternatively (not shown) the second refrigerant conduit section 50 is connected to the condenser outlet, guides for a portion through the evaporator tank (see e.g. Fig. 5A) and is connected at its other end to the inlet of the expansion device 48.

The functional arrangement shown in Fig. 32 is applicable to all embodiments of a laundry treatment machine. In particular applicable in all embodiments of a washing machine or a washer dryer which are disclosed herein in more detail. Although not shown in the detailed embodiments above, for example the first and/or second flow diverter 144A, 144B and/or the optional second refrigerant conduit section 50 between the compressor outlet and the condenser inlet or between the condenser outlet and the expansion device may be provided.

In Figs. 32 and 33 the condenser 68 is schematically depicted in a rectified (non-bend) state also to exemplify the relation of longitudinal extension L to cross extension Q. The longitudinal extension L of the condenser is a multiple of the cross-extension Q. In the examples here the cross section of the condenser 68 is circular - see Fig. 8. Even if the cross section should not be circular, the cross-section extension Q considered here for the length/cross extension ratio R is the maximum cross extension of the condenser (considered without the outer insulator 82). In these embodiments the longitudinal extension along the flow path of the refrigerant is the same or basically the same (within a tolerance in length difference of e.g. +/- 10% or within +/- 5% or within +/- 3%) as the longitudinal extension of the flow path of the conduit 100 c that is guiding the washing liquid from the inlet 62 to the outlet 60.

Fig. 33 is a schematic diagram of the functional elements used for heating and cooling the circulated washing liquid in the washer dryer of Fig. 13 ff. (third embodiment). There are two operation modes, the heating of the washing liquid used e.g. during a washing cycle and the cooling of the washing liquid used e.g. for cooling the circulated drying air during a drying cycle. The circulation of the washing liquid and the heating process of the washing liquid correspond to the heating process described in connection with Fig. 32. In the modification of Fig. 33 the first and/or second flow diverter may be provided.

The washing liquid flow direction 59 and the refrigerant flow direction are indicated by arrows in Fig. 33. Starting from the sump 140, in particular from a drain manifold which is arranged at the lower part of the sump 140 of the tub 94, the washing liquid flows through the first water circulation section 100a to the inlet 106a of the circulation pump 106. Exiting the circulation pump 106 through the circulation pump outlet 106b, the washing liquid is directed to the condenser 68 through the second water circulation section 100B. The washing liquid flows within the condenser 68 through the third water circulation section 100c and is preferably directed to the drawer housing 92 (e.g. via drawer housing inlet 126). For this operation mode/modification preferably the fourth water circulation section 100D is directly coupled to the drawer housing 92 (diverter 144A not provided) or the flow diverter 144 A is in a switching state to direct the circulated liquid to the drawer housing. For this operation mode/modification preferably the outlet of the drawer housing is directly connected to the flow channel 124a (e.g. via manifold 146) or the flow diverter 144B is in a switching state to direct the circulated liquid to the flow channel 124a.

During a drying cycle, the refrigerant flow direction is reverted as indicated by the white filled arrows in Fig. 33 (the black filled arrows indicate the normal flow direction for the heating process of the washing liquid). The reversal of the refrigerant flow through the condenser, expansion device and evaporator is provided by a refrigerant flow changing device 148. In refrigerant flow reversal mode the evaporator 42 works as a condenser and heats the heat exchanging medium within the evaporator tank 38. The condenser 68 operates as an evaporator and cools the circulated liquid (which is preferably freshly supplied tap water and/or water from the previous rinsing). The expansion device 48 preferably is a dual-direction expansion device, e.g. a capillary that operates independent of the flow direction.

The flow changing device 148 has two switching states, wherein the refrigerant conveyance direction of the compressor 44 is not changed in both switching states. a) In a first state (normal operation state for the heat pump) the evaporator 42 operates as evaporator and the condenser 68 operates as condenser. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor and coming from the compressor outlet is directed by the device 148 to the condenser 68 (or to the optional second refrigerant conduit section 50). The refrigerant from the evaporator 42 is sucked in through device 148 to the compressor inlet. b) In a second state (refrigerant flow reversal) the refrigerant compressed by the compressor is directed by device 148 to the evaporator 42. The refrigerant exiting the condenser or the optional second section 50 is sucked in by the compressor 44 through device 148 being in its second switching state.

The cooled washing liquid exiting the condenser 68 may be directed through the first flow diverter 144A to the drawer housing 92 in the fourth water circulation section 100D. Then the washing liquid may flow to the second flow diverter 144B in the manifold 146 and from there to the water inlet 118 in the tub water supply 114. From the water inlet 118 the liquid may flow into the flow channel 124a. In the flow channel 124a the circulated liquid comes in contact with the warm and wet drying air resulting in air humidity condensation. The condensate and circulated water are directed downwards the flow channel 124a to the tub sump 140 and can be drained with the drain pump 142 which is connected to the sump 140, in particular to the drain manifold of the sump 140, through the water drain 112 e.g. after the drying process.

With respect to Figs. 32 and 33, in addition, a heater 141 may be arranged inside the tub 94, preferably at the bottom of the tub 94, for heating the washing liquid. The washing machine 2 and/or the washer dryer 26 may have a mixing pump 143 that drains water and detergent from the sump 140, in particular from the drain manifold which is arranged at the lower part of the sump 140, at the beginning of a washing cycle after detergent has been introduced into the tub 94 and re-send the water and detergent to the sump 140, in particular to the tub 94 below the water heater 141. Thereby, the mixture and dissolution of the detergent in the water can be improved and accelerated. Reference Numeral List

2 washing machine

4 cabinet housing

6, 6a top module

8 front wall

9, 9a top wall

10 side wall

12 detergent drawer

13 handle

14 control panel

16 loading opening

18 door

20 air inlet opening

22, 22a cover of service / filter opening

24 rear wall/back-wall

26 washer dryer

36 evaporator tank cover

38 evaporator tank

40 seal

42 evaporator

43 refrigerant flow direction

44 compressor

45 refrigerant circulation circuit

46, 46a, 46A, 46B first refrigerant circuit section (between refrigerant condenser outlet and evaporator inlet, considering the heat pump refrigerant flow direction)

48 expansion device (capillary or expansion valve)

50 optional second refrigerant conduit section (between compressor outlet and condenser inlet or between condenser outlet and expansion device)

50a refrigerant line from expansion device to evaporator

50A refrigerant lines to and from evaporator

50B refrigerant line being part of evaporator

52, 52A, 52B third refrigerant circuit section (between evaporator outlet and compressor inlet, considering the heat pump refrigerant flow direction)

54, 54A, 54B fourth refrigerant circuit section (between compressor outlet and refrigerant condenser inlet, considering the heat pump refrigerant flow direction) 55 fifth refrigerant circuit section / condenser outer tube (within outer tube of the condenser)

57 evaporator inlet

58 evaporator outlet

59 washing liquid flow direction

60 washing liquid condenser outlet

61 refrigerant condenser inlet

62 washing liquid condenser inlet

63 refrigerant condenser outlet

64 compressor inlet

68 condenser

70 refrigerant connection

72 first support structure

74 second support structure

76 compressor outlet

78 condenser smaller/inner tube (washing liquid)

80 condenser larger/outer tube (refrigerant)

82 condenser insulation layer/heat insulating layer

90 bottom

92 drawer housing

94 tub

96 drum

98 bellow / gasket

100 washing liquid circulation unit

100a first water circulation section (between tub outlet (e.g. via the sump) and inlet of circulation pump, considering the washing liquid flow direction)

100b, 100b*, 100B second water circulation section (between outlet of circulation pump and outlet of condenser, considering the heat pump refrigerant flow direction)

100c third water circulation section / condenser outer tube (within condenser) lOOd, 100d*, 100D fourth water circulation section (between condenser inlet and water inlet to tub, considering the heat pump refrigerant flow direction and water inlet)

101 inlet of suction line

102 water inlet into tub (nozzle)

106 circulation pump (jet pump)

106a circulation pump inlet 106b circulation pump outlet

108 filter / service opening

112 water drain / drain hose

114 tub water supply

116 water supply unit (for drawer)

118 tub inlet

124 drying air circulation circuit

124a flow channel

124b blower

124c return duct

124d heater element

124e blower inlet

126 drawer housing water inlet

128 drum motor

129 air condensation unit

130 drum drive arrangement

132 tub rear wall

134 tub rear wall cover

136 back- module

136a back- module cover

136b back-module evaporator tank

136c condenser housing

136d back- module support structure

138 pipe for remaining water in U-shape of condenser / siphon bypass line

140 tub sump

141 water heater

142 drain pump

143 mixing pump

144A, 144B flow diverter/washing liquid directing device (optional)

146 manifold

148 refrigerant flow changing device

L longitudinal extension

Q cross extension/dimension