The principle of operation of the clothes dryer

Few people understand the principle of operation of a clothes dryer, considering such a technique an excess. But in fact, an automatic dryer will be a great addition to the washing machine and will save time on hanging and clothespins. The newfangled unit will be especially useful for those who like big washings, but cannot dry all the washed items. Therefore, there is no reason to avoid machine drying - it is better to get acquainted with its device.

What is the drying technique?

Hanging in the 21st century is far from the only way to get dry things. Moreover, manufacturers of large household appliances offer several options for electric dryers at once. Their main difference in the drying technology used: maximum unwinding, steaming or passing through hot air. In total, three main varieties of such aggregates are distinguished.

• Automatic machine with dryer. It is convenient to use, economical and does not take up much space, but has a significant minus - not all washed laundry can be dried, which slows down the washing process.
• Drying cabinet. Such devices are bulky, expensive to maintain, and are designed for large volumes of laundry, therefore they are used mainly in large houses or institutions.
• Tumble dryer. Outwardly, it reminds washing and is considered the “golden mean” among dryers.

Many tumble dryers can be installed in a column and mounted on the wall using special brackets.

Each unit has its pros and cons, but most often housewives choose a drum dryer. Such dryers are available in various variations. Which ones and how they function, we will consider further.

Types of Drum Dryers

The main division of the drying machines is based on the principle of moisture removal from clothing placed in the drum. Water from the laundry can either come out with moist air to the outside, or accumulate in a special container. There are three main types of drum dryers.

1. Ventilation. At the moment, they are considered obsolete, since they have a simple but inconvenient structure for humans. Moisture released during the cycle is vented through a special hose. But for this it is necessary when installing the unit to carry out a number of additional installation work, which reduces its demand among customers.
2. Condensation. In such machines, moisture is not removed outside, but accumulates in a separate compartment, which makes them many times more practical than their predecessors. But here, everything is not perfect: you have to pour out the used water regularly, and because of the slow condensate, the machine must heat the air very much. As a result, the drying cycle lasts a very long time and consumes a lot of electricity.
3. With a heat pump. It is an advanced condensation dryer. A cooling circuit was added to it, due to which intensive cooling is provided, accelerating the release of moisture from clothes. This technology has allowed not only to reduce cycle time, but also to reduce energy consumption by 20%.

Models with heat pumps are more expensive, but consume less electricity, so the price difference quickly pays off.

The higher the drying class, the more expensive it will cost the consumer. The cheapest ones will be ventilation, and the most expensive are models with a heat pump. But focusing only on the cost of the machine is not worth it, it is better to evaluate other components of the device.

Dryer components

A more detailed understanding of how the dryer operates, a review of the main elements of its design will help. Depending on the model and brand, the equipment may vary, but most dryers are made according to a single model. Each model has:

• dashboard, which houses a digital display, mode selector, as well as program buttons and additional functions;
• a drive belt that hides inside the unit and connects the tank shaft to the engine, providing rotation of the drum;
• a drying drum, which in design is practically no different from a washing drum. Often has a backlight, with which you can control the degree of drying of the fabric;

The presence of drum lighting simplifies the process of loading and unloading laundry.

• heat exchanger - a compartment in which the isolated movement of cooled and heated air occurs. Due to this, condensation forms and the laundry is dried;
• a heating element, which is also called a heating element, it heats the air before it directly enters the drum to wet things;
• a fan, with its help cold air is set to the desired direction, due to which the flow quickly reaches its goal.

That, of course, is not all. Drying units also have a capacity for collecting moisture, which can be located below or above, in place of the powder receptacle on a washing machine. It has a retractable mechanism and needs regular emptying, otherwise condensate will start to get inside the machine and leakage will occur. Some modern models can be directly connected to the sewer, after which the accumulated water will merge on its own.

The dryers also have air intakes, which are additionally equipped with pile filters and collect dust and other garbage falling into the machine. They need to be cleaned at intervals of at least 1 time per month.

The "heart" of the dryer is an electric motor. It is he who determines its power and the intensity of the unwinding of the drum. “Brains” can be called a control board, which is responsible for the timely issuance of commands and the execution of a given program without system failures.

How is drying clothes?

For the owner of the dryer, its operation will resemble a conventional washing machine. It is enough to open the door, load the laundry, focusing on the acceptable capacity, and start the process by choosing the appropriate mode. True, instead of water, warm air will enter the tank, and the rotation of the drum will not exceed a speed of 100 revolutions per minute.

Many drying machines offer the user more than 10 different drying programs, designed for individual fabrics and types of clothes and allowing you to choose the duration and effectiveness of the cycle. If you look inside the dryer, then after turning on the cycle the following will happen:

• a started fan will begin to move air masses through the pile filters to the heater;
• the machine will warm up to 50-70 degrees, and the second fan will drive hot air into the drum;
• taking his "portion" of moisture from wet linen, the air from the drum will go to the heat exchanger, "throw off" the water, cool and again go to the heater;
• the action will be continuously repeated until the user stops the cycle or the clothes are completely dry.

The maximum power of the dryer is 4000 watts, but more often the machines are capable of 1500-2300 watts.

After the selected program ends and the machine emits the appropriate melody, things are taken out and sent to the closet or ironed. The main thing is not to forget to clean the pile filter so that the next time the air circulates freely through the machine. We also remember the capacity for moisture, which also needs to be emptied, since leaving water inside the unit is strictly not recommended.

Also, do not rush and immediately after the first cycle run the second. Manufacturers advise to give the machine a "rest" for about 20 minutes, after which it is allowed to repeat the drying.