Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2025-06-05)
Rejection types: 102 - Lack of Novelty

CLAIMS:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1\. A clothes treatment apparatus comprising: a main body that defines an outer appearance of the clothes treatment apparatus; a drum rotatably disposed in the main body and configured to accommodate an object to be dried; a heat pump configured to supply heated air to the drum, the heat pump comprising a compressor being configured to compress refrigerant and to enable the heated air to circulate through the drum via an evaporator and a condenser; a blower fan disposed at a rear end of the evaporator and the condenser, the blower fan being configured to generate flow of the heated air; a plurality of motors configured to provide driving force to the drum, the blower fan, and the compressor; a cleaner configured to spray condensate water collected from the evaporator to a surface of the evaporator to thereby remove foreign substances on the surface of the evaporator; and a controller configured to control the cleaner and the blower fan, the controller being configured to decrease a rotational speed of the blower fan based on operating the cleaner.
2\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to decrease the rotational speed of the blower fan to a preset reference speed.
3\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to stop rotation of the blower fan.
4\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaner comprises: a condensate water storage; an injection flow path connected to the condensate water storage; a pump configured to supply condensate water in the condensate water storage to an end of the injection flow path; and a cleaning nozzle configured to, based on operation of the pump, spray the condensate water to a surface of a front part of the evaporator.
5\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to decrease the rotational speed of the blower fan based on operating the pump to spray the condensate water through the cleaning nozzle.
6\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 5, wherein the blower fan comprises a blower motor, and wherein the controller is configured to, based on terminating operation of the pump, control the blower motor to restore the rotational speed of the blower fan to a first speed that is set before the pump is operated.
7\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a valve, wherein the valve comprises: a valve case, a plurality of condensate water ports that protrude from the valve case and define flow paths of the condensate water therein, a plate rotatably disposed in the valve case and configured to block at least one of the plurality of condensate water ports, and a valve motor configured to rotate the plate.
8\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to operate the blower fan after a rotation of the plate being stopped.
9\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of condensate water ports is connected to an outside of the clothes treatment apparatus.
10\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to: control the valve motor to switch the plate from (i) a first state in which one of the plurality of condensate water ports connected to the outside is open to (ii) a second state in which another one of the plurality of condensate water ports is open; and control the blower fan to operate based on the plate being switched to the second state.
11\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to set a start time point for operating the blower fan based on a rotation angle of the plate.
12\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to stop operation of the blower fan before operating the pump to drain the condensate water to the outside.
13\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 7, wherein the valve case defines a plurality of holes corresponding to ends of the plurality of condensate water ports, respectively, and wherein the plate is configured to open one of the plurality of holes based on rotating relative to the valve case.
14\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 13, wherein the plate comprises a circular plate having a cut portion, the cut portion being configured to open one of the plurality of holes based on rotating relative to the valve case.
15\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of condensate water ports comprise (i) a first port that extends in a first direction and (ii) a second port that extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction.
16\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plate is configured to rotate about an axis extending in the second direction.
17\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plurality of condensate water ports further comprise a third port that extends in the first direction and a fourth port that extends in the second direction, and wherein the fourth port is disposed above the second port.
18\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 17, wherein the valve further comprises a port portion that defines a plurality of holes corresponding to ends of the plurality of condensate water ports, respectively, and wherein at least one of the plurality of condensate water ports is curved in the second direction and connected to one of the plurality of holes of the port portion.
19\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to: control the blower fan to rotate at a first revolutions per minute (rpm); based on operating the blower fan at the first rpm, start a cleaning mode for operating the cleaner; based on starting the cleaning mode, control the blower fan to rotate at a second rpm different from the first rpm; terminate the cleaning mode; and based on terminating the cleaning mode, control the blower fan to rotate at the first rpm.
20\. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 19, wherein the controller is configured to decrease the rotational speed of the blower fan to zero based on starting the cleaning mode.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-6 and 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by EP 2341183 to Essaid et al. (Essaid).
Regarding claim 1, Essaid discloses a clothes treatment apparatus (Fig. 4, generally and at part 1) comprising: a main body that defines an outer appearance of the clothes treatment apparatus (Fig. 4, part 2); a drum rotatably disposed in the main body and configured to accommodate an object to be dried (Fig. 4, part 3); a heat pump configured to supply heated air to the drum (a drying air circuit and a refrigeration circuit; Fig. 4, parts 4 and 22; machine translation, page 7, paragraph 3, “The drying air circuit…”), the heat pump comprising a compressor being configured to compress refrigerant (Fig. 4, part 23) and to enable the heated air to circulate through the drum via an evaporator and a condenser (Fig. 4, parts 24 and 26); a blower fan disposed at a rear end of the evaporator and the condenser, the blower fan being configured to generate flow of the heated air (Fig. 3, part 7); a plurality of motors configured to provide driving force to the drum, the blower fan, and the compressor (Fig. 3, at parts 8, 7; Fig. 4, part 23); a cleaner configured to spray condensate water collected from the evaporator to a surface of the evaporator to thereby remove foreign substances on the surface of the evaporator (Fig. 4, part 13); and a controller configured to control the cleaner and the blower fan, the controller being configured to decrease a rotational speed of the blower fan based on operating the cleaner (control means, machine translation, page 16, paragraph 2, “The dryer 1 comprises…”; machine translation, page 14, paragraphs 1-2, “In the case of a dryer…”).
Regarding claim 2, Essaid discloses wherein the controller is configured to decrease the rotational speed of the blower fan to a preset reference speed (machine translation, page 14, paragraphs 1-2, “In the case of a dryer…”).
Regarding claim 3, Essaid discloses wherein the controller is configured to stop rotation of the blower fan (machine translation, page 14, paragraphs 1-2, “In the case of a dryer…”).
Regarding claim 4, Essaid discloses wherein the cleaner (Fig. 4, part 13) comprises: a condensate water storage (Fig. 2, at part 12); an injection flow path connected to the condensate water storage (Fig. 2, at part 17); a pump configured to supply condensate water in the condensate water storage to an end of the injection flow path (Fig. 2, at part 15); and a cleaning nozzle configured to, based on operation of the pump, spray the condensate water to a surface of a front part of the evaporator (Fig. 2, part 11).
Regarding claim 5, Essaid discloses wherein the controller is configured to decrease the rotational speed of the blower fan based on operating the pump to spray the condensate water through the cleaning nozzle (machine translation, page 14, paragraphs 1-2, “In the case of a dryer…”).
Regarding claim 6, Essaid discloses wherein the blower fan comprises a blower motor, and wherein the controller is configured to, based on terminating operation of the pump, control the blower motor to restore the rotational speed of the blower fan to a first speed that is set before the pump is operated (machine translation, page 14, paragraphs 1-9, “In the case of a dryer…”).
Regarding claim 19, Essaid discloses wherein the controller is configured to: control the blower fan to rotate at a first revolutions per minute (rpm); based on operating the blower fan at the first rpm, start a cleaning mode for operating the cleaner; based on starting the cleaning mode, control the blower fan to rotate at a second rpm different from the first rpm; terminate the cleaning mode; and based on terminating the cleaning mode, control the blower fan to rotate at the first rpm (machine translation, page 14, paragraphs 1-9, “In the case of a dryer…”).
Regarding claim 20, Essaid discloses wherein the controller is configured to decrease the rotational speed of the blower fan to zero based on starting the cleaning mode (machine translation, page 14, paragraphs 1-9, “In the case of a dryer…”).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 7-18 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Regarding claims 7-18, should Applicant cure the above rejections/objections and a Notice of Allowance is issued in the next Office Action, surely Examiner will include a full statement of reasons for allowance therewith.
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
In response to the Office Action of June 5, 2025, Applicant asks that the application be allowed in view of the amendments above and the following remarks. Claims 1-6 and 8-20 are pending, with claim 1 being independent. Claims 1, 8, 11-13, and 15 have been amended, and claim 7 has been canceled without prejudice or disclaimer of subject matter. No new matter has been introduced.
Allowable Sub
j
ect
Matter
Applicant thanks Examiner Osterhout for the indication that claims 7-18 recite allowable subj ect matter.
Claim Rejections
-
US.
Claims 1-6, 19, and 20 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102 over EP 2341183 ("Essaid"). Applicant requests reconsideration and withdrawal of these rejections because none of the cited references, whether taken alone or in proper combination, describes or otherwise renders obvious all of the features of amended independent claim 1.
For example, amended independent claim 1 recites, among other things, a valve including "a valve case, a plurality of condensate water ports that protrude from the valve case and define flow paths of the condensate water therein, a plate rotatably disposed in the valve case and configured to block at least one of the plurality of condensate water ports, and a valve motor configured to rotate the plate." The cited references fail to describe or otherwise render obvious at least these features. Moreover, these features were recited in previously pending claim 7, which was not otherwise rejected in the Office Action.
Specifically, the Office Action equates Essaid's clothes drying machine 1 to the claimed clothes treatment apparatus. See Office Action at p. 2. Essaid, however, fails to describe or otherwise render obvious the above-noted features added as a consequence of the amendments set forth above. In particular, Essaid's clothes drying machine 1 does not include a valve including "a valve case, a plurality of condensate water ports that protrude from the valve case
and define flow paths of the condensate water therein, a plate rotatably disposed in the valve case and configured to block at least one of the plurality of condensate water ports, and a valve motor configured to rotate the plate," as claimed. Rather, Essaid merely describes "an expansion valve or else an expansion capillary." Essaid at [0065]. Further, a person of ordinary skill in the art would not have been led, absent impermissible hindsight gleaned from the present application, to somehow modify Essaid to include the features of amended claim 1.
For at least these reasons, the cited references, either alone or in proper combination, fail to describe or otherwise render obvious all of the features of amended independent claim 1. Accordingly, Applicant submits that amended independent claim 1 and its dependent claims are in condition for allowance.
Conclusion

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Reasons for Allowance
The following is an Examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance, the prior art fails to disclose or make obvious the limitations of claim 1, claiming a clothes treatment apparatus comprising: a main body; a drum; a heat pump comprising a compressor; a blower fan; a plurality of motors configured to provide driving force to the drum, the blower fan, and the compressor; a cleaner configured to spray condensate water collected from the evaporator to a surface of the evaporator to thereby remove foreign substances on the surface of the evaporator; a controller configured to control the cleaner and the blower fan, the controller being configured to decrease a rotational speed of the blower fan based on operating the cleaner; a valve, comprising: a valve case, a plurality of condensate water ports that protrude from the valve case and define flow paths of the condensate water therein, a plate rotatably disposed in the valve case and configured to block at least one of the plurality of condensate water ports, and a valve motor configured to rotate the plate.
The closest prior art of record is that of EP 2341183 to Essaid et al. (Essaid).  Essaid discloses a clothes treatment apparatus comprising: a main body that defines an outer appearance of the clothes treatment apparatus; a drum rotatably disposed in the main body and configured to accommodate an object to be dried; a heat pump configured to supply heated air to the drum, the heat pump comprising a compressor being configured to compress refrigerant and to enable the heated air to circulate through the drum via an evaporator and a condenser; a blower fan disposed at a rear end of the evaporator and the condenser, the blower fan being configured to generate flow of the heated air; a plurality of motors configured to provide driving force to the drum, the blower fan, and the compressor; a cleaner configured to spray condensate water collected from the evaporator to a surface of the evaporator to thereby remove foreign substances on the surface of the evaporator; and a controller configured to control the cleaner and the blower fan, the controller being configured to decrease a rotational speed of the blower fan based on operating the cleaner.  Essaid does not disclose or make obvious the valve, motor, and plate along with configuration thereof.
The advantage of the current invention over that of the prior art to Essaid is that of the valve, motor, and plate along with configuration thereof of the current invention wherein this allows for a proper regulation of the amount of water being sprayed to the evaporator thereby more efficiently cleaning the evaporator of residue thereon.
Since claim 1 is allowed, claims 2-6 and 8-20 which depend thereon are also allowed.
Conclusion

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US9631315B2: Claims:
A controlling method for a dryer, wherein at least one of a heat pump system or a heater is selected as a heat source for heating air supplied in to a drum and a heat supply capacity of the heat pump system is more than a heat supply capacity of the heater, the method comprising: selecting both the heat pump system and the heater as the heat sources; turning the heat pump system on turning the heater on after the heat pump system is normally turned on; turning the heater off to cool the drum and terminate drying after the drying is performed; turning the heat pump system off after the heater is turned off; and running the drum by driving a drive motor, wherein the running of the drum is started after performing a reverse rotation and a forward rotation of the drive motor in a sequential manner, and wherein the turning on of the heat pump system is started after performing a forward rotation of the drive motor.
selecting both the heat pump system and the heater as the heat sources;
turning the heat pump system on
turning the heater on after the heat pump system is normally turned on;
turning the heater off to cool the drum and terminate drying after the drying is performed;
turning the heat pump system off after the heater is turned off; and
running the drum by driving a drive motor, wherein the running of the drum is started after performing a reverse rotation and a forward rotation of the drive motor in a sequential manner, and wherein the turning on of the heat pump system is started after performing a forward rotation of the drive motor.
The method of claim 1 , further including determining whether or not a compressor included in the heat pump system normally operates, wherein the turning on of the heater is performed after the normal, operation of the heat pump system is checked.
The method of claim 2 , wherein the determining of whether or not the compressor normally operates is performed by comparing a temperature variation of a refrigerant having passed through the compressor with a preset reference temperature variation.
The method of claim 2 , wherein the determining of whether or not the compressor normally operates includes: measuring a temperature of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor; measuring a temperature ot a refrigerant discharged from the compressor after a preset time elapses from the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; and determining whether or not the compressor normally operates according to a difference value between the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor after a preset time elapses from the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor.
measuring a temperature of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor;
measuring a temperature ot a refrigerant discharged from the compressor after a preset time elapses from the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; and
determining whether or not the compressor normally operates according to a difference value between the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor after a preset time elapses from the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor.
The method of claim 4 , wherein it is determined that the compressor normally operates when the difference value between the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor after a preset time elapses from the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is more than a predetermined value.
The method of claim 4 , further including turning the compressor off when the difference value between the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor after a preset time elapses from the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is lower than the predetermined value, and displaying an existence of error in the dryer.
The method of claim 2 . the determining of whether or not the compressor normally operates is performed by measuring a discharge pressure of the compressor.
A controlling method for a dryer, wherein at least one of a heat pump system or a heater is selected as a heat source for heating air supplied in to a drum and a heat supply capacity of the heat pump system is more than a heat supply capacity of the heater, the method comprising: selecting both the heat pump system and the heater as the heat sources; turning the heat pump system on; turning the heater on after the heat pump system is normally turned on; turning the hearer off to cool the drum and terminate drying after the drying is performed; turning the heat pump system off after the heater is turned off; and determining whether or not a compressor included in the heat pump system normally operates, wherein the turning on of the heater is performed after the normal operation of the heat pump system is checked, wherein the determining of whether or not the compressor normally operates includes: measuring a temperature of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor; measuring a temperature of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor after a preset time elapses from the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; and determining whether or not the compressor normally operates according to a difference value between the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor after a preset time elapses from the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor.
turning the heat pump system on;
turning the hearer off to cool the drum and terminate drying after the drying is performed;
determining whether or not a compressor included in the heat pump system normally operates, wherein the turning on of the heater is performed after the normal operation of the heat pump system is checked, wherein the determining of whether or not the compressor normally operates includes: measuring a temperature of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor; measuring a temperature of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor after a preset time elapses from the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; and determining whether or not the compressor normally operates according to a difference value between the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor after a preset time elapses from the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor.
measuring a temperature of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor after a preset time elapses from the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; and
The method of claim 8 , wherein it is determined that the compressor normally operates when the difference value between the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor after a preset time elapses from the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is more than a predetermined value.
The method of claim 8 , further including turning the compressor off when the difference value between the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor after a preset time elapses from the measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is lower than the predetermined value, and displaying an existence of error in the dryer.
Ref US9512554B2: Claims:
A device, comprising: a component to be cleaned, the component configured to be located within a process air circuit of the device; a condensate water trough configured to collect condensate water formed in the process air circuit as a result of drying damp laundry; a rinse tank positioned above the component and having an outlet opening; a first lever arm rotatably fastened to the rinse tank, a second lever arm positioned outside of the rinse tank and coupled to the first lever arm, and a sealing head connected to the first lever arm and configured to close the outlet opening; and an actuator configured to actuate the second lever arm to selectively open and close the outlet opening, wherein the device is configured to conduct the condensate water from the condensate water trough to the rinse tank, wherein the sealing head is configured to be opened to dispense the condensate water from the outlet opening of the rinse tank onto the component, wherein the rinse tank is removable from the device such that the first lever arm, the second lever arm, and the sealing head are removable with the rinse tank, and wherein the actuator is fastened on a receiving opening configured to guide the rinse tank.
a component to be cleaned, the component configured to be located within a process air circuit of the device;
a condensate water trough configured to collect condensate water formed in the process air circuit as a result of drying damp laundry;
a rinse tank positioned above the component and having an outlet opening;
a first lever arm rotatably fastened to the rinse tank, a second lever arm positioned outside of the rinse tank and coupled to the first lever arm, and a sealing head connected to the first lever arm and configured to close the outlet opening; and
an actuator configured to actuate the second lever arm to selectively open and close the outlet opening,
wherein the device is configured to conduct the condensate water from the condensate water trough to the rinse tank,
wherein the sealing head is configured to be opened to dispense the condensate water from the outlet opening of the rinse tank onto the component,
wherein the rinse tank is removable from the device such that the first lever arm, the second lever arm, and the sealing head are removable with the rinse tank, and
wherein the actuator is fastened on a receiving opening configured to guide the rinse tank.
The device of claim 1 , wherein the component is an evaporator of a condenser.
The device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is set up and disposed to apply a force to the second lever arm.
The device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator has a lifting magnet.
The device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator further comprises a plunger, said plunger configured to apply a lifting movement to the second lever arm.
The device of claim 1 , wherein a lifting path of the actuator has a maximum travel of 30 mm.
The device of claim 6 , wherein the maximum travel is 25 mm.
The device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to travel through a lifting path in less than 2 seconds.
The device of claim 8 , wherein the actuator is configured to travel through a lifting path in less than 0.5 seconds.
The device of claim 9 , wherein the actuator is configured to travel through a lifting path in less than 0.2 seconds.
The device of claim 1 , further comprising a claw coupling to couple the first lever arm and the second lever arm.
The device of claim 1 , further comprising a sealing element configured to seal a through opening between the first and second lever arms.
The device of claim 1 , further comprising a spring element configured to press the sealing head onto the outlet opening.
The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is one of a washer dryer and a tumble dryer.
The device of claim 1 , wherein the first lever arm is rigidly connected to the sealing head.
The device of claim 13 , wherein the spring element is configured to apply a rotational force to the first lever arm.
The device of claim 13 , further comprising a shaft, wherein the first lever arm is rotatable about the shaft, and the spring element is located on the shaft.
The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is adapted to deliver between 75 and 150 liters per minute of the condensate water to the component.
The device of claim 18 , wherein the device is adapted to fully dispense the condensate water within two seconds.
The device of claim 1 , wherein the first lever arm is rotatably fastened to the rinse tank such that the outlet opening remains closed by the sealing head when the rinse tank is removed from the device.
A method for operating a device having a component to be cleaned, said component located within a process air circuit of the device; a condensate water trough configured to collect condensate water formed in the process air circuit as a result of drying damp laundry; a rinse tank positioned above the component and having an outlet opening; a first lever arm rotatably fastened to the rinse tank, a second lever arm positioned outside of the rinse tank and coupled to the first lever arm, and a sealing head connected to the first lever arm and configured to close the outlet opening; and an actuator configured to actuate the second lever arm to selectively open and close the outlet opening; wherein the device is configured to conduct the condensate water from the condensate water trough to the rinse tank, the method comprising: actuating the actuator to apply a force to the second lever arm to open the outlet opening; and lifting the sealing head from the outlet opening by the first lever arm as a result of the actuator applying the force to the second lever arm to dispense the condensate water from the outlet opening of the rinse tank onto the component, wherein the rinse tank is removable from the device such that the first lever arm, the second lever arm, and the sealing head are removable with the rinse tank, and wherein the actuator is fastened on a receiving opening configured to guide the rinse tank.
actuating the actuator to apply a force to the second lever arm to open the outlet opening; and
lifting the sealing head from the outlet opening by the first lever arm as a result of the actuator applying the force to the second lever arm to dispense the condensate water from the outlet opening of the rinse tank onto the component,
The method of claim 21 , wherein the first lever arm is rotatably fastened to the rinse tank such that the outlet opening remains closed by the sealing head when the rinse tank is removed from the device.
The method of claim 21 , wherein the device is one of a washer dryer and a tumble dryer.
A laundry appliance comprising: a process air circuit; a condensate water trough configured to collect condensate water formed in the process air circuit; a component to be cleaned, the component being positioned within the process air circuit; a rinse tank positioned above the component, the rinse tank includes an outlet opening and being adapted to store water; a first lever arm rotatably fastened to the rinse tank, a second lever arm positioned outside of the rinse tank and coupled to the first lever arm, and a sealing head connected to the first lever arm and configured to close the outlet opening; and an actuator configured to actuate the second lever arm to selectively open and close the outlet opening, wherein the sealing head is configured to be opened to dispense the water from the fluid outlet opening of the rinse onto the component, wherein the rinse tank is removable from the laundry appliance such that the first lever arm, the second lever arm, and the sealing head are removable with the rinse tank, wherein the laundry appliance is configured to conduct the condensate water from the condensate water trough to the rinse tank, and wherein the actuator is fastened on a receiving opening configured to guide the rinse tank.
a process air circuit;
a condensate water trough configured to collect condensate water formed in the process air circuit;
a component to be cleaned, the component being positioned within the process air circuit;
a rinse tank positioned above the component, the rinse tank includes an outlet opening and being adapted to store water;
wherein the sealing head is configured to be opened to dispense the water from the fluid outlet opening of the rinse onto the component,
wherein the rinse tank is removable from the laundry appliance such that the first lever arm, the second lever arm, and the sealing head are removable with the rinse tank,
wherein the laundry appliance is configured to conduct the condensate water from the condensate water trough to the rinse tank, and
The laundry appliance according to claim 24 , wherein the outlet opening is adapted to deliver the water with a flow rate between 75 and 150 liters per minute.
The laundry appliance according to claim 25 , wherein the rinse tank is adapted to store 2.5 liters of water.
The laundry appliance according to claim 24 , wherein the rinse tank is adapted to completely dispense the water stored therein within two seconds when the rinse tank is full.
The laundry appliance according to claim 24 , wherein the component is an evaporator of a condenser.
The laundry appliance according to claim 24 , wherein the actuator is set up and disposed to apply a force to the second lever arm.
The laundry appliance according to claim 24 , wherein the actuator has a lifting magnet.
The laundry appliance according to claim 24 , wherein the actuator further comprises a plunger, said plunger configured to apply a lifting movement to the second lever arm.
The laundry appliance according to claim 24 , further comprising a claw coupling to couple the first lever arm and the second lever arm.
The laundry appliance according to claim 24 , further comprising a sealing element configured to seal a through opening between the first and second lever arms.
The laundry appliance according to claim 24 , further comprising a spring element configured to press the sealing head onto the outlet opening.
The laundry appliance according to claim 24 , wherein the first lever arm is rotatably fastened to the rinse tank such that the outlet opening remains closed by the sealing head when the rinse tank is removed from the laundry appliance.
The laundry appliance of claim 24 , wherein the laundry appliance is one of a washer dryer and a tumble dryer.
Ref US9347171B2: Claims:
A device for cleaning an evaporator of a condenser with condensation water, the device comprising: a condensation water pan configured to collect condensation water condensed from process air by the evaporator; a collection container above the evaporator configured to receive the condensation water collected by the condensation water pan; a control device; and a downpipe to direct the condensation water onto the evaporator from the collection container, wherein the collection container further comprises a rinsing chamber having an outlet fluidly joining the rinsing chamber to the downpipe and a closure plate positioned on the collection container to cover the outlet in a closed position of the closure plate, the closure plate being configured to be actuated by the control device to open the outlet and allow a flow of condensation water to flow from the rinsing chamber to the downpipe, wherein the collection container further comprises a storage chamber configured to receive condensation water overflowing from the rinsing chamber, wherein the collection container further comprises a partition wall extending between the rinsing chamber and the storage chamber from a bottom of the collection container, and wherein the closure plate further comprises a support pin extending from a bottom side of the closure plate into an opening in the bottom of the collection container to lift the closure plate into an open position
[Truncated to input limit]