JP2005211214A - Washing apparatus and drying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience for a user regarding a washing apparatus and a drying apparatus utilizing a non-contact identification device. <P>SOLUTION: The washing apparatus comprises: a reading and registering machine 24 for receiving information from an RFID tag 10 attached to clothes; a memory 32 for storing the information received by the reading and registering machine 24 including the information specifying the contents of a process for one of the processes of washing; a CPU 30 for deciding the contents of the process on the basis of the information stored in the memory 32; and a washing part 52 for washing the clothes on the basis of the contents decided by the CPU 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing apparatus and a drying apparatus, and more particularly, to a washing apparatus and a drying apparatus using a non-contact identification device.

  Each garment has optimum washing and drying conditions. When washing or drying under conditions contrary to these, various troubles such as so-called itch or discoloration occur. However, when washing and drying a large variety of clothing in large quantities, it is difficult to know the conditions suitable for each. In such a case, knowing the appropriate washing conditions and drying conditions more efficiently becomes an important factor in operations such as washing and drying.

  For this purpose, a technique has been used in which washing conditions and the like are stored in an identification device such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag.

  Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses an identification device that transmits a previously inputted identification code from an antenna when a data carrier antenna received in a film container and fixed to clothing receives a signal. Yes. According to this, individual sheets, lab coats and the like can be automatically identified. Since white robes can be automatically identified, sorting work when handling a large amount of clothing can be made more efficient.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a washing apparatus and an ironing apparatus that can automatically read information representing an appropriate washing method or ironing method and automatically set the washing method or ironing method in accordance with these methods. Has been. These washing devices and ironing devices can prevent inappropriate settings by reading the information described above. Further, these washing apparatus and ironing apparatus can notify the user of automatically read information.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a washing control method capable of performing the best washing. According to this, since the barcode with the washing information is attached to the clothing and various states are set by the barcode, the best washing is possible.

  However, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when an antenna of a data carrier receives a signal, when an identification code input in advance is transmitted from the antenna, there is a problem that the sorting operation is merely made efficient. is there. As a result, when a large amount of clothing is handled, there is a possibility that some clothing may not be sufficiently soiled or itching may occur.

  On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, information indicating an appropriate washing method or ironing method is automatically read, and the washing method or ironing method is automatically set according to those methods. There is a problem that there is room for improvement in convenience for the user. For example, there is no solution for a case where fine setting is required for each washing process.

As disclosed in Patent Document 3, when the information medium attached to the clothing is a bar code or the like, there is a problem that contact with the reading device is required. In this case, there is also a problem that it is very inconvenient for the user because a large amount of clothing information cannot be read simultaneously.
JP-A-11-180545 JP 2002-360968 A JP-A-6-304379

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a washing apparatus and a drying apparatus that improve convenience for the user.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a washing apparatus includes: a receiving means for receiving information from a communication device attached to clothing; The storage means for storing the information received by the receiving means, including information specifying the contents, the determining means for determining the contents of the process based on the information stored in the storing means, and the determining means determined And washing means for washing the clothes based on the contents.

  That is, the receiving means receives information from a communication device attached to clothing. The storage means stores the information received by the receiving means, including information for specifying the contents of the process for any of the washing processes. The determination means determines the content of the process based on the information stored in the storage means. The washing means wash the clothes based on the content determined by the determining means. Thereby, clothes are washed based on the information which the content of the process which the receiving means received receives. As a result, it is possible to provide a washing apparatus that improves convenience for the user.

  Moreover, it is desirable that the above-mentioned determining means includes means for determining the content of washing.

  That is, the determining means determines the content of washing based on the information stored in the storage means. Thereby, the content of washing is determined based on information specifying the content of the process received by the receiving means. As a result, it is possible to provide a washing apparatus that further improves convenience for the user.

  Alternatively, it is desirable that the means for determining the content of the washing described above includes means for determining the content so as to correspond to any of the quantity and the material of the plurality of clothes.

  That is, the means for determining the content of washing determines the content of washing so as to correspond to any of the quantity and the material of the plurality of clothes. Thereby, even when washing a plurality of clothes, the content of washing is determined to be more appropriate content of washing based on the information received by the receiving means and specifying the content of the process. As a result, it is possible to provide a washing apparatus that further improves convenience for the user.

  Moreover, it is desirable that the above-mentioned determining means includes means for determining the contents of rinsing.

  In other words, the determination unit determines the contents of rinsing based on the information stored in the storage unit. Thereby, the content of the rinse is determined based on the information which specified the content of the process which the receiving means received. As a result, it is possible to provide a washing apparatus that further improves convenience for the user.

  Alternatively, the above-mentioned means for determining the contents of rinsing preferably includes means for determining the contents so as to correspond to any of the quantity and the material of the plurality of clothes.

  In other words, the means for determining the contents of the rinse determines the contents of the rinse so as to correspond to any of the quantity and the material of the plurality of clothes. Thus, even when washing a plurality of clothes, the contents of rinsing are determined as more appropriate contents of rinsing based on the information specifying the contents of the process received by the receiving means. As a result, it is possible to provide a washing apparatus that further improves convenience for the user.

  Moreover, it is desirable that the above-mentioned determining means includes means for determining the content of dehydration.

  That is, the determining means determines the content of dehydration based on the information stored in the storage means. Thereby, the content of dehydration is determined based on the information which specified the content of the process which the receiving means received. As a result, it is possible to provide a washing apparatus that further improves convenience for the user.

  Alternatively, it is desirable that the means for determining the content of the dehydration described above includes means for determining the content so as to correspond to any of the quantity and the material of the plurality of clothes.

  That is, the means for determining the content of dehydration determines the content of dehydration so as to correspond to any of the quantity and the material of the plurality of clothes. Thereby, even when washing a plurality of clothes, the content of dehydration is determined to be more appropriate content of dehydration based on the information received by the receiving unit and specifying the content of the process. As a result, it is possible to provide a washing apparatus that further improves convenience for the user.

  Further, the above-described washing apparatus has a calculation unit for calculating the time spent for performing any one of the washing steps based on the content decided by the decision unit, and the time spent for performing any one of the washing steps. It is desirable to further include display means for displaying information to be represented.

  That is, the calculation means calculates the time spent for performing any of the washing steps based on the content determined by the determination means. The display means displays information indicating the time spent for performing any of the washing steps. Thereby, a time that is highly convenient for the user is displayed. As a result, it is possible to provide a washing apparatus that further improves convenience for the user.

  Alternatively, it is desirable that the calculation means described above includes means for calculating time spent for performing a plurality of washing steps.

  That is, the calculation means calculates time spent for performing a plurality of washing steps. A display means displays the information showing the time spent for implementation of the process implemented from the time water supply is started to the time dehydration is completed. As a result, a time more convenient for the user is displayed. As a result, it is possible to provide a washing apparatus that further improves convenience for the user.

  Alternatively, the information received by the receiving means described above preferably includes information indicating either the number of times of washing and the date of washing for the garment to which the communication device is attached, and information specifying the content of the process. At the same time, the washing apparatus determines whether or not washing is appropriate when one of a plurality of washing methods is used for each piece of clothing with a communication device on the basis of information indicating either the number of washings or the date of washing. It is desirable to further include creating means for creating information to be represented and display means for displaying any of the information created by the creating means.

  That is, the creation means determines whether or not washing is appropriate when using any of a plurality of washing methods for each piece of clothing to which a communication device is attached, based on information indicating either the number of washings or the date of washing. Create information to represent. The display means displays any of the information created by the creation means. As a result, information indicating suitability of washing when any of a plurality of washing methods is used is displayed for any of the clothes to which the communication device is attached. As a result, it is possible to provide a washing apparatus that further improves convenience for the user.

  Alternatively, the plurality of washing methods described above preferably include a washing method using a washing apparatus and a method different from the washing method using the washing apparatus.

  In other words, the creation means includes information indicating suitability of washing when using any of a plurality of washing methods including a washing method using the washing device and a method different from the washing method using the washing device. Create Thus, more convenient information indicating suitability of washing is displayed for clothes suitable for washing using a method different from the method of washing using the washing apparatus. As a result, it is possible to provide a washing apparatus that further improves convenience for the user.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the drying device receives the receiving means including the receiving means for receiving information from the communication device attached to the clothes and the information for specifying the conditions for drying the clothes. Storage means for storing information, determination means for determining conditions for drying clothes based on information stored in the storage means, and for drying clothes based on conditions determined by the determination means And drying means.

  That is, the receiving means receives information from a communication device attached to clothing. The storage means stores the information received by the receiving means, including information specifying conditions for drying clothes. The determining unit determines a condition for drying the clothes based on the information stored in the storage unit. The drying means dries the clothes based on the condition determined by the determining means. Thereby, based on the information which the receiving means receives and specifies the conditions for drying clothes, clothes are dried. As a result, a drying apparatus that improves convenience for the user can be provided.

  Alternatively, it is desirable that the determining means includes means for determining a plurality of conditions for drying the garment by selecting a combination of a plurality of conditions.

  That is, the determining means determines a plurality of conditions for drying the garment by selecting a combination of a plurality of conditions based on the information stored in the storage means. Thereby, a determination means determines the conditions for drying clothes earlier. As a result, it is possible to provide a drying device that further improves convenience for the user.

  Alternatively, it is desirable that the above-mentioned determining means includes means for determining a condition so as to correspond to the amount of clothing.

  That is, the determining means determines the condition for drying the clothing so as to correspond to the amount of clothing. Thereby, a determination means determines the conditions for drying clothes more appropriately. As a result, it is possible to provide a drying device that further improves convenience for the user.

  Alternatively, it is desirable that the above-mentioned determining means includes means for determining a condition so as to correspond to the material of clothing.

  That is, the determining means determines the condition for drying the clothing so as to correspond to the material of the clothing. Thereby, a determination means determines the conditions for drying clothes more appropriately. As a result, it is possible to provide a drying device that further improves convenience for the user.

  Alternatively, the condition determined by the determination means described above preferably includes a condition for specifying the drying temperature.

  That is, the determining means determines the conditions for drying the clothing including the conditions for specifying the drying temperature. Thereby, a determination means determines the conditions for drying clothes more appropriately. As a result, it is possible to provide a drying device that further improves convenience for the user.

  Alternatively, the condition determined by the determination means described above preferably includes a condition for specifying the air volume for drying.

  That is, the determining means determines the conditions for drying the clothes, including the condition for specifying the air volume for drying. Thereby, a determination means determines the conditions for drying clothes more appropriately. As a result, it is possible to provide a drying device that further improves convenience for the user.

  Or it is desirable for the above-mentioned drying apparatus to further include a display means for displaying the conditions determined by the determining means.

  That is, the display means displays the condition determined by the determination means. Thereby, the conditions for drying the clothes are displayed. As a result, it is possible to provide a drying device that further improves convenience for the user.

  Alternatively, it is preferable that the above-described drying apparatus further includes display means for displaying information that is received by the receiving means and that indicates whether the drying apparatus is suitable for drying.

  In other words, the display means displays information indicating the suitability of drying by the drying device. Thereby, the suitability of drying by the drying device becomes clear. As a result, it is possible to provide a drying device that further improves convenience for the user.

  Alternatively, the information received by the receiving means described above preferably includes information indicating the history of drying of the clothes to which the communication device is attached. At the same time, the drying device displays a creation means for creating information indicating the suitability of drying for each piece of clothing equipped with a communication device, and information created by the creation means, based on information representing the history of drying. It is desirable to further include the display means.

  In other words, the receiving means receives information including information indicating the history of drying of the clothing to which the communication device is attached from the communication device attached to the clothing. The creating means creates information indicating whether or not drying is appropriate for each piece of clothing to which the communication device is attached based on the information indicating the history of drying. The display means displays the information created by the creation means. Thereby, the information showing the propriety of drying based on the history of drying is displayed. As a result, it is possible to provide a drying device that further improves convenience for the user.

  Alternatively, the creation means described above is based on whether or not the number of times that the clothing attached with the communication device has been dried by the drying device is specified by the information representing the history of drying, is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times. It is desirable to include means for creating information indicating the suitability of

  In other words, the creating means creates information indicating whether or not drying is appropriate for each piece of clothing to which the communication device is attached based on whether or not the number of times of drying by the drying device is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. As a result, information that clearly indicates the suitability of drying is displayed. As a result, it is possible to provide a drying device that further improves convenience for the user.

  The washing apparatus and the drying apparatus according to the present invention improve convenience for the user.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a washing apparatus using the non-contact identification apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the laundry device system according to the present embodiment includes an RFID tag 10 and a laundry device 20. The RFID tag 10 is attached to clothing. The RFID tag 10 is a contactless identification device that stores data relating to the clothing. The washing apparatus 20 is an apparatus for washing clothes based on data stored in the RFID tag 10.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the attachment position of the RFID tag 10 in clothing is shown. The RFID tag 10 in the present embodiment is a conventionally known RFID tag in which an internal antenna and an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip are mounted in a case. An IC chip mounted inside the RFID tag 10 is embedded with a storage unit, a control circuit necessary for RFID transmission / reception, and the like. Stored in the storage unit of the RFID tag 10 is clothing information (such as general information on clothing indicating suitability for washing, material, mass, and the like) regarding clothing on which the RFID tag 10 is attached. The clothing information is a collection of a plurality of data respectively corresponding to a plurality of items. These data represent values that are optimal for the clothing to which the RFID tag 10 is attached. Those optimum values are registered in the storage unit of the RFID tag 10 by a reading and registering device 24 described later.

  The washing apparatus 20 includes a central information processing apparatus 22, a reading / registering machine 24, a structure unit 26, and a notification unit 28. The central information processing device 22 processes the information output from the reading / registration device 24. The reading / registering device 24 is a registering device that writes information to the RFID tag 10. The reader / register 24 is also a reader that receives a signal representing information from the RFID tag 10 attached to clothing. The reading and registering device 24 is mounted so as to be detachable from the insertion port of the structure portion 26. This insertion slot is an insertion slot through which clothes with the RFID tag 10 attached are inserted. If the reading / registration device 24 fails to register data in the RFID tag 10 when the clothing passes through the slot, the user removes the reading / registration device 24 and moves it closer to the clothing so that the data is registered reliably. . Even when the reading / registration device 24 cannot read data from the RFID tag 10, the user removes the reading / registration device 24 and brings it close to clothing so that the data can be read reliably. The structure portion 26 corresponds to a washing machine that is generally commercially available in recent years. The reading / registration device 24 and a notification unit 28 described later are attached to the structure unit 26. With reference to FIG. 3, the attachment position of the reading / registering machine 24 and the notification unit 28 in the structure unit 26 according to the present embodiment is shown. Generally, the washing mode of the washing apparatus is roughly selected by one of two methods. The first method is a method of setting a specific value for each washing process such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration. The second method is a method of selecting one of “courses” in which values to be set in advance are determined for all the washing steps. In this case, names such as a normal washing course, a hand washing washing course, a careful rinsing washing course, and a blanket washing course are defined in the course. In the case of the former method, the user manually sets an appropriate numerical value for each washing process (may be selected from several predetermined numerical values, etc. Street). In the case of the latter method, the amount of washing water, the washing time, and the washing rotation pattern for each course (in the following description, “washing rotation pattern” means the rotation frequency and rotation speed of the rotating tub when washing clothes. “Rinse rotation pattern” refers to the combination of the rotation frequency and rotation speed of the rotating tank during rinsing, and “Dehydration rotation pattern” refers to the rotation of the rotating tank during dehydration. Appropriate values such as the amount of rinsing water, the rinsing time, the rinsing rotation pattern, the number of times of rinsing, the dewatering rotation pattern, and the dehydration time are stored in advance. The user selects one desired laundry course. As a result, the washing mode is selected. However, the structure unit 26 according to the present embodiment selects the washing mode by a method different from these. A specific selection method will be described later. Moreover, the alerting | reporting part 28 is a display apparatus.

  The central information processing apparatus 22 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30, a memory 32, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 34, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 36, and a clock (CLOCK) 38. The CPU 30 controls each unit of the central information processing device 22. Based on the clothing information output by the control unit 50 of the structure unit 26, the CPU 30 optimizes the amount of washing water, the washing time, the washing rotation pattern, the rinsing water amount, the rinsing time, the rinsing rotation pattern, the number of times of rinsing, the dehydration rotation pattern, and the dehydration time. It is also a circuit that decides. The memory 32 stores information received by the reading and registration device 24 including information for specifying the content of each process for each process of washing. The ROM 34 stores a program for processing information. The RAM 36 directly reads and writes information. The clock 38 generates a synchronization signal.

  The reading / registration device 24 includes a control unit 40, an RF transmission / reception unit 42, and an antenna 46. The control unit 40 converts the clothing information output by the CPU 30 of the central information processing device 22 into a signal. The control unit 40 outputs the converted signal to the RF transmission / reception unit 42. The control unit 40 is also a circuit that converts the signal output from the RF transmission / reception unit 42 into clothing information. The RF transmitter / receiver 42 converts the radio wave received by the antenna 46 into a signal. The RF transmitter / receiver 42 outputs the signal converted by itself to the controller 40. The RF transmission / reception unit 42 is also a circuit that converts a signal output from the control unit 40 into a radio wave. The antenna 46 communicates radio waves with the RFID tag 10.

  The structure unit 26 includes a control unit 50 and a washing unit 52. The control unit 50 controls the washing unit 52. The washing unit 52 washes, rinses and dehydrates the clothes. The washing unit 52 includes various devices for washing clothes and a key for receiving user input (none of which are shown).

  Referring to FIG. 4, the program executed by washing device 20 has the following control structure for washing and dehydrating clothes.

  In step 100 (hereinafter, “step” is abbreviated as “S”), the user puts the garment on which the RFID tag 10 is attached into the slot of the structure portion 26. An RFID tag 10 is attached to clothes to be washed. The RFID tag 10 attached to the clothing stores clothing information by the reading / registering device 24 in advance.

  In S102, the reading and registration device 24 reads the clothing information of the RFID tag 10 attached to the clothing when the clothing is inserted. The reading / registering machine 24 is attached to the insertion port as described above. The clothing information of the RFID tag 10 is output to the CPU 30 from the control unit 40 of the reading and registration device 24 through the above-described processing.

  In S104, based on the clothing information, the CPU 30 optimizes the amount of washing water, the washing time, the washing rotation pattern, the rinse water amount, the rinsing time, the rinsing rotation pattern, the number of times of rinsing, the dehydration rotation pattern, and the dehydration time. And the total time is calculated. Expressions for calculating these are arbitrarily determined at the time of design by the manufacturer of the washing apparatus 20 or the like. For example, when washing a theta, it is desirable to wash with a weak water flow, rinse, and dehydrate with a short dehydration time and a low dehydration speed, as compared with normal washing and rinsing. At this time, the washing rotation pattern, the rinsing rotation pattern, and the dehydration rotation pattern are calculated by the CPU 30 based on the information on the clothing material (the rotation frequency or the rotation speed is determined by the mixing ratio of the material weak to the water flow). Further, when the number of theta is one, the amount of water may be small. However, when the number of thetas is large, an amount of water that can soak all thetas in water is required. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the CPU 30 calculates the total mass of clothing (which may be the total number of clothing, but in the present embodiment, the total mass) based on the clothing information read in S102. calculate. When the total mass is calculated, the CPU 30 determines that the total mass includes the amount of water per unit mass (in the case of the present embodiment, the amount of water varies depending on the material of the theta. Multiply by a different value when calculating the amount of water and when calculating the amount of rinse water). Thereby, the amount of rinse water or the amount of rinse water is calculated. The number of times of rinsing is calculated in the same way. When the amount of washing water or the like is calculated, the CPU 30 spends performing each of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process based on the contents calculated by the CPU 30 itself, that is, the contents determined by the CPU 30 itself. Time (in the case of the present embodiment, the above-described washing time, rinsing time, and dehydration time correspond to this) is calculated. In the case of the present embodiment, the calculation method of those steps is as follows. In the first step, the CPU 30 calculates the time required to perform each operation in those processes “once”. However, among these times, for example, the time required for performing the operation “once” regardless of the amount of clothes and the material, such as the time for the washing unit 52 to accept the user's key input, is constant. Is read from the ROM 34 instead. On the other hand, when the time required for performing the operation “once” corresponding to the amount of clothes and the material, for example, the time required for water supply, is fixed based on the content determined by the CPU 30 itself. calculate. In the second step, the CPU 30 calculates the total time required to perform the operation “once”. At this time, if there is an operation to be performed “multiple times” in the “one” step, the CPU 30 adds the time required to perform the operation “one time” by the “multiple times”. Thereby, the time spent for the execution of the process is calculated. Note that the above-mentioned “total time” is a value obtained by summing the time spent for performing a plurality of processes. CPU30 calculates the time spent for implementation of several processes of washing by totaling the time spent for implementation of a process about a plurality of processes. As described above, the CPU 30 does not require manual setting by the user, and the optimum amount of washing water, washing time, washing rotation pattern, amount of rinsing water, so as to correspond to any of a plurality of clothing quantities and materials, Rinse time, rinse rotation pattern, number of rinses, dewatering rotation pattern, dewatering time, etc. can be determined.

  In S106, the CPU 30 determines the optimum washing water amount, washing time, washing rotation pattern, rinsing water amount, rinsing time, rinsing rotation pattern, number of times of rinsing, dehydration rotation pattern, dehydration time, and total time for the clothes put in S102. The information is displayed on the notification unit 28. Thereby, the user can confirm the displayed washing mode.

  In S108, the key of washing unit 52 accepts an input indicating whether or not the user has determined that the washing mode is appropriate. When the input is accepted, control unit 50 outputs a signal representing the content of the input to CPU 30. When the signal is output, CPU 30 determines whether or not the user has determined that the washing mode is appropriate. If it is determined that the washing mode is appropriate (YES in S108), the process proceeds to S110. If not (NO in S108), the process proceeds to S114. In S110, control unit 50 of structure unit 26 automatically sets the washing mode determined to be appropriate. In S112, control unit 50 controls washing unit 52 in accordance with the set clothing information. Thereby, clothes are washed.

  In S114, the key of the washing unit 52 receives the input of the washing mode that the user considers optimal.

  In S <b> 116, CPU 30 outputs information representing the date of washing and the total number of washings to reading / registration device 24. The reading and registering device 24 transmits the information to the RFID tag 10 by radio waves. The RFID tag 10 stores information indicating the date of washing and the total number of times of washing.

  The operation of the washer / dryer 70 based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described.

  The user puts the clothes on which the RFID tag 10 is attached into the slot of the structure unit 26 (S100). When clothing is inserted, the reading and registering device 24 reads clothing information of the RFID tag 10 attached to the clothing (S102). FIG. 5 shows the clothing information of the theta thrown in the present embodiment. The clothing information includes information indicating the number of times of washing for the clothing to which the RFID tag 10 is attached, information indicating the date of washing, and information for specifying the contents of the washing process (in this embodiment, from the “dry cleaning” column, “ This includes “use of laundry net”. When the clothing information is read, the CPU 30 determines, based on the clothing information, the optimum washing water amount, washing time, washing rotation pattern, rinse water amount, rinsing time, rinsing rotation pattern, number of times of rinsing, and dehydration rotation pattern. The dehydration time and the total time are calculated (S104). When the total time and the like are calculated, the CPU 30 determines the optimal amount of washing water, washing time, washing rotation pattern, rinse water amount, rinsing time, rinsing time, rinsing rotation pattern, number of rinsings, dehydration rotation pattern, and dehydration time. The total time is displayed on the notification unit 28 (S106). When the total time or the like is displayed, the CPU 30 determines whether the user has determined that the laundry mode is appropriate based on the input received by the key of the washing unit 52 and indicating whether the user has determined that the laundry mode is appropriate. It is determined whether or not (S108). In this case, since the user determines that the laundry mode is appropriate (YES in S108), control unit 50 automatically sets the laundry mode determined to be appropriate (S110). When the setting is completed, the control unit 50 wash the clothes according to the set clothes information (S112). When the clothes are washed, the CPU 30 outputs information indicating the washing date and the total number of washings to the reading / registering device 24. The reading / registering device 24 transmits the information to the RFID tag 10 by radio waves (S116). The RFID tag 10 stores information indicating the date of washing and the total number of times of washing.

  As described above, the washing apparatus system according to the present embodiment has an optimum amount of washing water, washing time, washing rotation pattern, rinsing water amount, rinsing based on the mass of clothes to be washed stored in the RFID tag. The time, rinse rotation pattern, number of rinses, dewatering rotation pattern, dewatering time, and total time can be determined. As a result, the washing course and the like are set more appropriately. That is, optimal washing is set from the information of the RFID tag. Since optimum washing is set, it is possible to reduce washing time and maintain washing ability. Furthermore, the washing / drying machine according to the present embodiment can create and display guide information based on the mass of clothes to be washed. As a result, it is possible to obtain a guideline for managing clothing, such as a guideline for the degree of damage to the clothing and the disposal time. In addition, RFID tags can store a large amount of information and can also be written. The RFID tag is rich in convenience for the user. As a result, it is possible to provide a more advanced washing apparatus that improves convenience for the user.

  In addition, the alerting | reporting part 28 is an apparatus comprised at least any one among a display part, a speaker, and a buzzer. Alternatively, the notification unit 28 may be configured as a device in which two or more devices are combined.

<Second Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a washing / drying system using the non-contact identification apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 6, structure unit 62 according to the present embodiment includes a drying unit 64. The drying unit 64 corresponds to a dryer that is generally commercially available in recent years. The drying unit 64 includes various devices for drying clothes and a key for receiving user input (none of which are shown). Other hardware configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. The function about them is the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the program executed by washing / drying apparatus 60 has the following control structure for drying clothes. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the processing shown in FIG. 4 is given the same step number. These processes are the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

  In S <b> 200, the user puts the clothes on which the RFID tag 10 is attached into the slot of the drying unit 64. An RFID tag 10 is attached to clothes to be washed. For example, when a 100% synthetic fiber shirt is dried, it is dried in a shorter time than a 100% cotton shirt. In this case, the clothing information (in the case of the present embodiment, the content of the clothing information is the same as in the first embodiment) is stored in the storage unit of the RFID tag 10 in the shirt, so that the drying device 2 The reading / registration device 24 attached to the device reads information on the RFID tag 10 of the clothing when it is put into the drying device.

  In S <b> 202, CPU 30 determines whether the input clothes can be dried in washing / drying device 60 based on the information received from RFID tag 10. If it is determined that drying is possible (YES in S202), the process proceeds to S204. If not (NO in S202), the process proceeds to S210.

  In S204, based on the clothing information received from the RFID tag 10, the CPU 30 calculates a drying time, a drying temperature, a drying air amount, and the like that are optimum for the put-in clothing. Formulas for calculating these are determined at the time of design. These formulas are arbitrarily determined by the manufacturer of the washing and drying apparatus 60 or the like. In the case of the present embodiment, the lowest temperature among the optimum drying temperatures for each piece of clothing included in the clothing information is set as the drying temperature. The drying time is calculated by multiplying the amount of clothing by a predetermined coefficient. The amount of dry air is calculated by adding the product of the following values to the optimum amount of dry air in the material that needs to be dried at the highest temperature among the input clothes. The first of the values is a predetermined coefficient. The second of the values is the difference between the optimum drying temperature for the material and the drying temperature for actual drying. Thereby, based on the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage means, the conditions to dry clothing are determined. In addition, conditions for drying clothes are determined so as to correspond to the amount of clothes and the material of the clothes. Further, the condition for drying the clothes includes a condition for specifying the drying temperature.

  In S206, the CPU 30 causes the notification unit 28 to display the calculated drying time, drying temperature, drying air volume, and the like. Thereby, the user can confirm the displayed drying mode and the like.

  In S208, the key of the drying unit 64 receives an input indicating whether or not the user has determined that the drying mode is appropriate. When the input is accepted, control unit 50 outputs a signal representing the content of the input to CPU 30. When the signal is output, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the user has determined that the drying mode is appropriate. If it is determined that the drying mode is appropriate (YES in S208), the process proceeds to S212. If not (NO in S208), the process proceeds to S216.

  In S <b> 210, CPU 30 uses notification unit 28 to notify that drying is impossible.

  In S212, control unit 50 automatically sets the drying mode determined to be appropriate. In S214, control unit 50 controls drying unit 64 in accordance with the set clothing information. Thereby, the drying unit 64 dries the clothes based on the condition determined by the CPU 30. In S216, the key of the drying unit 64 receives the input of the drying mode that the user considers optimal.

  In S <b> 218, the CPU 30 outputs information representing the drying date and the total number of times of drying to the reading and registration device 24. The reading and registering device 24 transmits the information to the RFID tag 10 by radio waves. The RFID tag 10 stores information indicating the drying date and the cumulative number of times of drying.

  The operation of the washer / dryer 70 based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described.

[When clothes to be dried can be dried with a dryer]
The user puts the clothes on which the RFID tag 10 is attached into the slot of the drying unit 64 (S200). An RFID tag 10 is attached to clothes to be washed. When the clothes are put in, through the process of S102, the CPU 30 determines whether the put clothes can be dried in the washing / drying apparatus 60 based on the information received from the RFID tag 10 (S202). In this case, since it is determined that drying is possible (YES in S202), CPU 30 calculates a drying time, a drying temperature, a drying air volume, and the like that are optimum for the input clothing based on the clothing information received from RFID tag 10. (S204). When the drying air volume and the like are calculated, the CPU 30 displays the calculated drying time, drying temperature, drying air volume, and the like on the notification unit 28 (S206). When the drying air amount or the like is displayed, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the user determines that the drying mode is appropriate (S208). In this case, since it is determined that the drying mode is appropriate (YES in S208), control unit 50 automatically sets the drying mode determined to be appropriate (S212). When the drying mode is automatically set, the control unit 50 dries the clothes according to the set clothes information (S214). When the clothes are dried, the CPU 30 stores information representing the drying date and the total number of times of drying in the RFID tag 10 (S218).

[If the clothes to be dried cannot be dried with a dryer]
After the process of S102, the CPU 30 determines whether the put-in clothes can be dried in the washing / drying apparatus 60 based on the information received from the RFID tag 10 (S202). In this case, since it is determined that drying is impossible (NO in S202), CPU 30 uses notification unit 28 to notify that drying is impossible (S210).

  As described above, the washing / drying system according to the present embodiment has an optimum amount of washing water, washing time, washing rotation pattern, and amount of rinsing water based on the material and mass of clothes to be dried stored in the RFID tag. In addition to the rinsing time, the rinsing rotation pattern, the number of rinsings, the dewatering rotation pattern, and the dehydration time, the optimum drying time, drying temperature, amount of drying air, and total time can be determined. At that time, the drying temperature is controlled by changing the amount of drying air and the capacity of power supplied to the heater. As a result, more appropriate handling is possible for the process from the start of washing to the end of drying, which was not possible in the conventional washing apparatus. In particular, handling that leads to shortening of drying time becomes possible. In addition, the washing and drying system according to the present embodiment can display the suitability of drying by a dryer based on the material and mass of clothes to be dried. As a result, it is possible to obtain a guideline for managing clothing, such as a guideline for the degree of damage to the clothing and the disposal time. Moreover, it can prevent drying the laundry which cannot be dried. Since such a thing can be prevented, the laundry drying system which concerns on this Embodiment can prevent damage and deterioration of clothing. In addition, the washing and drying system according to the present embodiment should be judged by judging the degree of damage from the drying history, and should be discarded, or should be put out for cleaning with less damage (the longer the cleaning, the longer the life). Can be notified. As a result, a further advanced dryer that improves convenience for the user can be provided.

  In S204, when CPU 30 determines a drying time or the like, CPU 30 may determine a plurality of conditions for drying clothes by selecting a combination of a plurality of conditions. Here, the “combination of a plurality of conditions” corresponds to the “course” described in the first embodiment. In the case of this modification, for example, appropriate values for the drying time, the drying temperature, and the amount of drying air are set in advance for each course. When the CPU 30 selects a course, the CPU 30 does not need to calculate the drying time individually. As a result, a plurality of conditions for drying the clothes more quickly are determined. As a result, it is possible to provide a dryer that further improves convenience for the user.

<Third Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a washing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the washing and drying machine 70 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 72, an outer frame 74 having an opening on the upper surface, and a vibration isolation mechanism (not shown) inside the outer frame 74. A bottomed and cylindrical water tank 76 elastically supported by the resin tank, and a resin molded product (which may be made of a stainless steel plate, which is rotatably attached to the inside of the water tank 76, A bottomed and cylindrical rotary tank 78, a drive unit 80 connected to the water tank 76, a stirring blade 82 attached to the bottom of the rotary tank 78 so as to be rotatable, A connecting pipe 84 connected to the drain port 123 on the lower surface of the water tank 76, a first drain pipe 86, a drain valve 88, a second drain pipe 90 connected to the drain valve 88 and the connecting pipe 84, and a drain hose 92. Including.

  The control part 72 is provided in the front part of the upper surface board 100 mentioned later. The control unit 72 controls the operation of the washing / drying machine 70. The water tank 76 stores wash water. The rotating tank 78 holds clothing. The rotating tank 78 is also a member that dehydrates the moisture of the clothes by rotating. The drive unit 80 rotates the rotating tank 78 and the stirring blade 82. The stirring blade 82 stirs the washing water and clothes inside the rotary tub 78. The connecting pipe 84 drains the washing water in the rotating tank 78 and the washing water collected by the water tank 76 to the second drain pipe 90. The first drain pipe 86 discharges the waste water from the rotary tank 78 to the second drain pipe 90. The drain valve 88 opens and closes the water channel from the first drain pipe 86 to the second drain pipe 90. The second drain pipe 90 discharges the washing water discharged from the first drain pipe 86 and the connecting pipe 84 to the drain hose 92. The drain hose 92 discharges the washing water discharged from the second drain pipe 90 to the outside.

  A top plate 100 is attached to the outer frame 74. An opening / closing lid 104 is attached to the opening 102 provided at the center of the top plate 100.

  A water tank cover 106 is attached to the upper end opening of the water tank 76. A hot air path 108 is formed on the back side of the water tank 76 in order to reduce the number of parts. A seal holder 112 is fixed to the bottom surface of the water tank 76 via a third packing 110. An inner lid 114 is provided at the center of the water tank cover 106. A first seal 116 is provided between the water tank 76 and a dehydrating shaft 160 described later. The water tank cover 106 fixes the hot air supply unit 118. The warm air path 108 circulates the warm air. The seal holder 112 forms a drainage path 146. The inner lid 114 allows clothes to be taken in and out. The inner lid 114 is also a member that seals the upper surface of the outer frame 74 during the drying process. Thereby, leakage of warm air is prevented. The 1st seal | sticker 116 seals between the water tank 76 and the dehydration shaft 160 mentioned later so that there may be no water leak.

  The hot air supply unit 118 includes a drying fan 120, a heater 122, an air outlet 124, and a lint filter 126. The drying fan 120 sends air to the heater 122. The heater 122 heats the air sent out by the drying fan 120. Thereby, the heated air turns into warm air. The blower outlet 124 discharges warm air. The lint filter 126 removes lint from the hot air.

  The hot air path 108 is formed to branch from the first drain pipe 86 and to be connected to the hot air supply unit 118. A nozzle 128 is attached to the hot air path 108. The nozzle 128 sprays cooling water. This nozzle may be a nozzle that radiates cooling water, but the nozzle 128 in the present embodiment is assumed to spray cooling water. The nozzle 128 cools the hot air by spraying cooling water. Thereby, the warm air is dehumidified.

  The structure of the seal holder 112 will be described with reference to FIG. An oil seal 130 is fixed to the seal holder 112. The oil seal 130 seals between the seal holder 112 and a seal ring 142 described later.

  With reference to FIG. 10, the structure of the bottom part of the rotation tank 78 is demonstrated. The rotating tank 78 includes a bottom member 132 and a body member 134. The bottom member 132 has a plurality of holes 136 formed in the center. The body member 134 forming the peripheral wall of the rotating tub 78 is formed in a conical shape whose peripheral surface is inclined with respect to the rotation axis. The body member 134 has no hole. A ring-shaped balancer 138 is attached to the upper end of the body member 134. FIG. 11 shows a cross section of the balancer 138. Notches 140 are provided at predetermined intervals below the balancer 138. The notch 140 causes the washing water to overflow. The overflowing washing water is water that has risen on the inner surface of the body member 134 due to the rotation of the rotating tub 78. The overflowing washing water is collected in the water tank 76.

  With reference to FIG. 9 again, the structure of the lower surface of the rotating tank 78 will be described. A seal ring 142 is attached to the lower surface of the rotating tank 78 so as to surround all the holes 136. The seal ring 142 prevents water from leaking between the rotary tank 78 and the seal holder 112. The bottom of the rotary tank 78 is reinforced by a dewatering flange 144. A seal holder 112 is connected below the rotary tank 78. The seal holder 112 forms a drainage path 146 by isolating the inside of the water tank 76. The drainage path 146 discharges the drainage discharged from the hole 136 to the first drainpipe 86.

  A first packing 190 and a second packing 192 are attached to the dewatering flange 144. The first packing 190 seals between the rotary tank 78 and the dewatering flange 144. The second packing 192 seals between the dewatering flange 144 and the seal ring 142.

  The drive unit 80 will be described with reference to FIG. The drive unit 80 includes a drive motor 148, a mechanism unit 150, and a belt 152. The motor 148 outputs torque. In the case of the present embodiment, motor 148 is a motor capable of controlling the rotation speed. The mechanism unit 150 switches the output of the motor 148 to the rotary tank 78 or the stirring blade 82 and transmits it. The mechanism unit 150 is also a device that stops the rotating tank 78 or the stirring blade 82. The belt 152 transmits the output of the motor 148 to the mechanism unit 150.

  The mechanism unit 150 includes a hollow dewatering shaft 160 fixed to the rotary tank 78, a stirring blade shaft 162 that is fitted in the dewatering shaft 160 and attaches the stirring blade 82, a dewatering shaft 160, and a stirring blade shaft 162. And a second seal 164 provided therebetween. The dehydrating shaft 160 transmits the output of the motor 148 to the rotating tank 78. The dehydrating shaft 160 is also a member that transmits the braking force of the mechanism unit 150 to the rotating tank 78. The stirring blade shaft 162 transmits the output of the motor 148 to the stirring blade 82. The stirring blade shaft 162 is also a member that transmits the braking force of the mechanism unit 150 to the stirring blade 82. The second seal 164 seals between the dehydrating shaft 160 and a stirring blade shaft 162 described later so that there is no water leakage.

  A flange portion 170 is formed at the upper end of the dewatering shaft 160. The bottom of the rotating tub 78, the dewatering flange 144, and the seal ring 142 are fixed to the flange portion 170 by screws.

  The stirring blade 82 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the stirring blade 82. The stirring blade 82 includes a first projecting portion 174 for stirring, a second projecting portion 176, and a plurality of vent holes 178 provided radially. The air hole 178 is provided in the outer peripheral portion between the first protrusion 174 and the second protrusion 176. The ventilation hole 178 is disposed so as not to face the hole 136 formed in the bottom of the rotary tank 78. FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional shape of the hole 136. The hole 136 has a curved surface 180 around the upper surface. Thereby, the pressure loss at the time of wash water and warm air circulating can be reduced.

  Referring to FIG. 14, control unit 72 includes a CPU 302, a memory 304, a communication interface 306, a control interface 308, and an operation panel / notification unit 310 that are connected to each other via a bus. The CPU 302 controls each device of the washer / dryer 70 and each circuit and each device of the control unit 72. The memory 304 stores a program executed by the CPU 302 and data handled by the CPU 302 when the program is executed. Communication interface 306 communicates information with tags attached to clothing. This communication is performed wirelessly. The control interface 308 converts the signal output from the CPU 302 into a signal that can be used by each device of the washing / drying machine 70. The control interface 308 is also a circuit that converts a signal output from each device of the washing and drying machine 70 into a signal that can be used by the CPU 302. Thus, the CPU 302 can control each device of the washing / drying machine 70. In the case of the present embodiment, operation panel and notification unit 310 is a touch panel. The operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts user key input. The operation panel / notification unit 310 is also a device that displays information for the user.

  Referring to FIG. 15, an RFID tag 320 attached to clothing includes an antenna 322 and an IC chip 324. The antenna 322 communicates information with the communication interface 306. The IC chip 324 stores information to be transmitted to the communication interface 306. The IC chip 324 is also a circuit that controls the antenna 322 in order to transmit information to the communication interface 306.

  The IC chip 324 includes a transmission unit 332, a reception unit 334, a rectification unit 336, and a storage unit 338. The transmission unit 332 controls the antenna 322. The transmission unit 332 is also a circuit that reads information from the storage unit 338. The receiving unit 334 converts the radio wave received by the antenna 322 into a signal. The receiving unit 334 is also a circuit that outputs the radio wave to the rectifying unit 336 when the radio wave received by the antenna 322 is not a radio wave representing a predetermined signal. The rectifying unit 336 rectifies the radio wave received by the receiving unit 334. Thereby, the radio wave is converted into electric power. The rectifying unit 336 is also a circuit that supplies power to each unit of the IC chip 324. The storage unit 338 stores clothing information. In the case of the present embodiment, the clothing information stored in the storage unit 338 is the same as that in the first embodiment. Therefore, the clothing information includes information indicating the number of times of washing for the clothing to which the RFID tag 10 is attached, information indicating the date of washing, and information for specifying the contents of the washing process (in this embodiment, “dry cleaning” To “use of laundry net” corresponds to this).

  Referring to FIGS. 16 to 18, the program executed by control unit 72 has the following control structure regarding washing and dehydration of clothes by washing / drying machine 70.

  In S300, CPU 302 controls communication interface 306 to transmit information requesting transmission of information to RFID tag 320 (attached to clothing put in rotating tub 78). In the case of the present embodiment, the CPU 302 causes information to be transmitted in the multi-access mode.

  In S302, CPU 302 waits for communication interface 306 to receive a reply and output a signal corresponding to the reply. As described above, in the present embodiment, the CPU 302 causes information to be transmitted in the multi-access mode. As a result, all the RFID tags 320 attached to the clothing return the clothing information.

  In S304, CPU 302 causes memory 304 to store the signal output from communication interface 306. As a result, information about all the clothes to which the RFID tag 320 is attached is stored in the memory 304.

  In S306, CPU 302 determines the contents of the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydrating process, and the drying process based on the information stored in memory 304. In the case of the present embodiment, the CPU 302 determines the contents of the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydrating process, and the drying process so as not to damage the clothing most. For example, a water flow during washing (in the following description of the present embodiment, when “water flow” is described, the “water flow” is determined by a combination of the rotation frequency and the rotation speed of the rotating tank 78. When determining the flow of water (representing the flow / convection of the entire water in the aquarium 76) and the strength of the water flow, the CPU 302 receives the most damage among the rotation patterns represented by the information stored in the memory 304. The rotation pattern is determined so as to match the gentle water flow and the strength of the water flow suitable for easy clothing. The CPU 302 causes the memory 304 to store information representing the contents of the determined washing process, rinsing process, dehydration process, and drying process.

  In S308, CPU 302 determines the amount of water for washing and rinsing. Specifically, the CPU 302 first sets the value of a register provided in the memory 304 to “0”. When the value is set, the CPU 302 reads out the information representing the material of the clothing among the information stored in the memory 304. Each time the information is read, the CPU 302 adds the amount of water to the register. The amount of water to be added is determined based on the read material (the reason will be described later). After this is repeated for all the clothes, the CPU 302 determines the amount of water at the time of rinsing by washing the finally calculated value. In the present embodiment, the reason why the amount of water at the time of washing and rinsing is determined based on the material is that the amount of water required for washing and rinsing the clothing may be affected by the material more than the mass of the clothing. There is a point that remains.

  In S310, CPU 302 calculates the total time required for washing, rinsing, and dehydration based on the determined amount of water during rinsing and rinsing, the contents of the washing step, the rinsing step, and the dehydrating step. In S <b> 312, CPU 302 outputs to operation panel / notification unit 310 a signal corresponding to the contents of the determined washing process, rinsing process, and dehydration process, and the total time. The operation panel / notification unit 310 displays the contents of the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydration process, and the total time corresponding to the signal output from the CPU 302.

  At S314, CPU 302 reads all the history information stored in memory 304 (that is, received from RFID tag 320). In the case of the present embodiment, the history information is the number of times of washing in the past, the date and time of washing, the number of times of rinsing in the past, the date and time of rinsing, and dehydration in the past. The number of times of dehydration and the date and time of dehydration (the date and time described in the column of “Laundry History” in FIG. 5), the number of times of drying in the past by the dryer, and the date and time of drying by the dryer (in FIG. 5) (Date and time described in the “dry history” column).

  At S316, CPU 302 creates guidance information for each piece of clothing with RFID tag 320 attached based on the history information. In the case of this embodiment, guidance information is a general term for two pieces of information. Among them, the first information is information indicating suitability of washing when any one of a plurality of washing methods is used. Of these, the second information is information indicating the suitability of drying by the dryer. In the guide information in the present embodiment, information indicating that washing by a washing machine is possible, information indicating that cleaning is recommended, information indicating that drying by a dryer is possible, and disposal are recommended (that is, washing) Any of the methods described above is not suitable for washing). The CPU 302 creates information indicating that cleaning is recommended for clothes whose number of washing in the past exceeds a predetermined value for cleaning. The CPU 302 creates information indicating that drying by the dryer is possible for clothes in which the number of times of drying by the dryer in the past falls below a predetermined value for drying. The CPU 302 creates information indicating that disposal is recommended for clothes whose number of washing in the past exceeds a predetermined value for disposal. The CPU 302 creates information indicating that the laundry can be washed by the washing device for clothes whose number of times of washing in the past falls below a predetermined value for cleaning and a predetermined value for disposal. In the present embodiment, the user presets both a predetermined value for cleaning and a predetermined value for disposal. The CPU 302 creates guidance information for the clothing whose history information is stored in the memory 304.

  In S318, operation panel and notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction. In S320, CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information. If it is determined that the instruction is to display history information and guidance information (YES in S320), the process proceeds to S322. If not (NO in S320), the process proceeds to S324.

  In S322, CPU 302 outputs a signal corresponding to the history information and the content of the guidance information to operation panel and notification unit 310. The operation panel / notification unit 310 displays history information and guidance information corresponding to the signal output by the CPU 302.

  In S324, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction. In S326, CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to change the contents of the washing process, the contents of the rinsing process, or the contents of the dehydration process. If it is determined that the instruction is to change the washing process, the rinsing process, or the dehydration process (YES in S326), the process proceeds to S328. If not (NO in S326), the process proceeds to S330.

  At S328, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts information indicating the content of the process change. The CPU 302 stores the information received by the operation panel / notification unit 310 in the memory 304.

  In S330, the CPU 302 closes the drain valve 88. When the drain valve 88 is closed, the CPU 302 opens a water supply pipe valve (not shown) to supply water into the rotary tank 78.

  In S <b> 332, the CPU 302 waits for the water amount in the rotating tank 78 to reach a predetermined amount. Here, the “predetermined amount” is the amount determined in S306. Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction.

  In S334, CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information. If it is determined that the instruction is to display the history information and the guidance information (YES in S334), the process proceeds to S336. If not (NO in S334), the process proceeds to S338.

  In S 336, CPU 302 outputs a signal corresponding to the history information and the content of the guidance information to operation panel / notification unit 310. The operation panel / notification unit 310 displays history information and guidance information corresponding to the signal output by the CPU 302.

  In S <b> 338, the CPU 302 controls the drive unit 80 through the control interface 308 to fix the rotating tank 78. In addition, the CPU 302 controls the driving unit 80 to rotate the stirring blade 82 in a predetermined washing rotation pattern. Here, the “predetermined washing rotation pattern” is a rotation pattern corresponding to the water flow during washing determined in S306 and the strength of the water flow. As a result, the clothes are washed.

  In S340, CPU 302 waits for a predetermined time to elapse while stirring blade 82 is rotated in a predetermined washing rotation pattern. Here, the “predetermined time” is the washing time determined in S306. Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction.

  In S342, CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information. If it is determined that the instruction is to display the history information and the guidance information (YES in S342), the process proceeds to S344. If not (NO in S342), the process proceeds to S346.

  In S 344, CPU 302 outputs a signal corresponding to the history information and the content of the guidance information to operation panel / notification unit 310. The operation panel / notification unit 310 displays history information and guidance information corresponding to the signal output by the CPU 302.

  In S <b> 346, the CPU 302 controls the drive unit 80 to stop the rotation of the stirring blade 82. In S348, the CPU 302 opens the drain valve 88. Accordingly, the washing water is drained through the hole 136, and the process shifts to the rinsing process. Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction.

  In S350, CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information. If it is determined that the instruction is to display the history information and the guidance information (YES in S350), the process proceeds to S352. If not (NO in S350), the process proceeds to S354.

  In S <b> 352, CPU 302 outputs a signal corresponding to the history information and the content of the guidance information to operation panel / notification unit 310. The operation panel / notification unit 310 displays history information and guidance information corresponding to the signal output by the CPU 302.

  In S354, the CPU 302 closes the drain valve 88. In S356, the CPU 302 opens the valve of the water supply pipe described above, and supplies water into the rotary tank 78. In S358, the CPU 302 waits for the amount of water in the rotating tank 78 to reach a predetermined amount. In the case of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the “predetermined amount” here is the same amount as the amount determined in S306. Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction.

  In S360, CPU 302 determines whether or not the user's instruction received by operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information. If it is determined that the instruction is to display the history information and the guidance information (YES in S360), the process proceeds to S362. If not (NO in S360), the process proceeds to S364.

  In S362, CPU 302 outputs a signal corresponding to the history information and the content of the guidance information to operation panel / notification unit 310. The operation panel / notification unit 310 displays history information and guidance information corresponding to the signal output by the CPU 302.

  In S <b> 364, the CPU 302 controls the drive unit 80 to fix the rotating tank 78. In addition, the CPU 302 controls the drive unit 80 to rotate the stirring blade 82 in a predetermined rinse rotation pattern. The “predetermined rinsing rotation pattern” here is a rotation pattern corresponding to the water flow during rinsing determined in S306 and the strength of the water flow. As a result, the clothes are rinsed.

  In S366, CPU 302 waits for a predetermined time to pass while rotating stirring blade 82 in a predetermined rinse rotation pattern. Here, the “predetermined time” is the rinsing time determined in S306. Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction.

  In S368, CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by operation panel and notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information. If it is determined that the instruction is to display the history information and the guidance information (YES in S368), the process proceeds to S370. If not (NO in S368), the process proceeds to S372.

  In S370, CPU 302 outputs a signal corresponding to the history information and the content of the guidance information to operation panel and notification unit 310. The operation panel / notification unit 310 displays history information and guidance information corresponding to the signal output by the CPU 302.

  In S <b> 372, the CPU 302 controls the drive unit 80 to stop the rotation of the stirring blade 82. At the same time, the CPU 302 opens the drain valve 88. Thereby, the wash water is drained through the hole 136, and the process shifts to the dehydration process. In S374, operation panel and notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction while washing water is drained.

  In S376, CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by operation panel and notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information. If it is determined that the instruction is to display history information and guidance information (YES in S376), the process proceeds to S378. If not (NO in S376), the process proceeds to S380.

  In S378, CPU 302 outputs a signal corresponding to the history information and the content of the guidance information to operation panel / notification unit 310. The operation panel / notification unit 310 displays history information and guidance information corresponding to the signal output by the CPU 302.

  In S380, CPU 302 controls drive unit 80 to rotate in a predetermined rotation pattern so that rotating tank 78 and stirring blade 82 are integrated. Here, the “predetermined rotation pattern” is a rotation pattern corresponding to the dehydration speed determined in S306. As a result, the washing water contained in the clothing rises on the inner wall of the conical rotating tub 78 by centrifugal force. The raised washing water overflows from the rotating tub 78 through the notch 140 of the balancer 138. The overflow of the rotary tank 78 is collected by the water tank 76. The collected washing water is drained through the drain port 123. Thereby, dehydration of clothing is performed.

  In S382, CPU 302 waits for a predetermined time to pass while rotating rotating tank 78 and stirring blade 82 in a predetermined rotation pattern. The “predetermined time” here is the dehydration time determined in S306. Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction.

  In S384, CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information. If it is determined that the instruction is to display history information and guidance information (YES in S384), the process proceeds to S386. If not (NO in S384), the process proceeds to S388.

  In S386, CPU 302 outputs a signal corresponding to the history information and the content of the guidance information to operation panel / notification unit 310. The operation panel / notification unit 310 displays history information and guidance information corresponding to the signal output by the CPU 302.

  In S388, the CPU 302 closes the drain valve 88. When the drain valve 88 is closed, the CPU 302 controls the driving unit 80 to rotate the rotating tank 78 and the stirring blade 82 in a predetermined rotation pattern. The “predetermined rotation pattern” here is a rotation pattern determined based on information stored in the memory 304 in advance.

  In S390, CPU 302 waits for a predetermined time to pass while rotating rotating tank 78 and stirring blade 82. The “predetermined time” here is a time determined based on information stored in the memory 304 in advance. Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction.

  In S392, CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information. If it is determined that the instruction is to display history information and guidance information (YES in S392), the process proceeds to S394. If not (NO in S392), the process proceeds to S396.

  In S 394, CPU 302 outputs a signal corresponding to the history information and the content of the guidance information to operation panel / notification unit 310. The operation panel / notification unit 310 displays history information and guidance information corresponding to the signal output by the CPU 302.

  In S <b> 396, the CPU 302 controls the drive unit 80 to rotate only the stirring blade 82. Thereby, the process of loosening clothes is added.

  In S398, CPU 302 drives drying fan 120 and heater 122. Thereby, warm air is supplied into the rotary tank 78 from the blower outlet 124. The temperature of the warm air is the temperature determined in S304. After the hot air comes into contact with the clothes, the hot air is exhausted to the hot air path 108 through the hole 136 of the rotating tank 78 and the vent hole 178 of the stirring blade 82. Thereby, drying of clothing is performed.

  In S <b> 400, CPU 302 sprays cooling water from nozzle 128. Thereby, the warm air is cooled in the warm air path 108. When the hot air is cooled, moisture in the hot air is condensed and dehumidified. The dehumidified air is heated again by the heater 122 and supplied to the rotating tank 78. Thereby, warm air circulates.

  In S402, CPU 302 waits for a predetermined time to elapse while driving drying fan 120, heater 122, and nozzle 128. Here, the “predetermined time” is the drying time determined in S306. Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction.

  In S404, CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information. If it is determined that the instruction is to display history information and guidance information (YES in S404), the process proceeds to S406. If not (NO in S404), the process proceeds to S408.

  In S 406, CPU 302 outputs a signal corresponding to the history information and the content of the guidance information to operation panel / notification unit 310. The operation panel / notification unit 310 displays history information and guidance information corresponding to the signal output by the CPU 302.

  In S <b> 408, the CPU 302 stops the rotary tank 78, the stirring blade 82, the heater 122, the drying fan 120, and the nozzle 128. In S410, CPU 302 opens drain valve 88. Thereby, the water of the warm air path 108 is discharged. Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction.

  In S412, CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information. If it is determined that the instruction is to display the history information and the guidance information (YES in S412), the process proceeds to S414. If not (NO in S414), the process proceeds to S416.

  At S 414, CPU 302 outputs a signal corresponding to the history information and the content of the guidance information to operation panel / notification unit 310. The operation panel / notification unit 310 displays history information and guidance information corresponding to the signal output by the CPU 302.

  In S <b> 416, CPU 302 updates the history information among the information stored in memory 304. In step S418, the CPU 302 controls the communication interface 306 to cause the RFID tag 320 to transmit the history information stored in the memory 304.

  Referring to FIG. 19, the operation executed by RFID tag 320 has the following control structure regarding communication and update of clothing information.

  In S420, antenna 322 receives the radio wave from communication interface 306. The antenna 322 outputs the received radio wave to the receiving unit 334.

  In S422, reception unit 334 outputs the output radio wave to rectification unit 336. Thereby, the rectifier 336 can convert the output of the receiver 334 into electric power. The rectification unit 336 supplies the converted power to the transmission unit 332 and the reception unit 334.

  In S424, receiving unit 334 receives the supply of power, and converts the radio wave being output by antenna 322 into a signal representing information. The reception unit 334 outputs a signal to the transmission unit 332.

  In S426, transmission unit 332 determines whether or not the signal is a signal requesting transmission of information stored in storage unit 338. If it is determined that the signal is a request for transmission of information (YES in S426), the process proceeds to S428. If not (NO in S426), the process proceeds to S430. In S 428, transmission unit 332 transmits all clothing information stored in storage unit 338 to communication interface 306.

  In S430, transmission unit 332 determines whether or not the signal is a signal for updating information stored in storage unit 338. If it is determined that the signal is for updating information (YES in S430), the process proceeds to S432. If not (NO in S430), the process ends.

  In S432, reception unit 334 converts information output from antenna 322 into information that can be stored in storage unit 338. The reception unit 334 outputs the converted information to the transmission unit 332. The transmission unit 332 stores the information output from the reception unit 334 in the storage unit 338.

  The operation of the washer / dryer 70 based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described.

  The CPU 302 causes the RFID tag 320 to transmit information requesting information transmission (S300). At this time, clothes are put in the drum 404 in advance by the user. When the information is transmitted, the CPU 302 waits for the communication interface 306 to receive a reply and output a signal corresponding to the reply (S302). On the other hand, the antenna 322 receives radio waves from the communication interface 306. The antenna 322 outputs the received radio wave to the receiving unit 334 (S420). When the received radio wave is output to reception unit 334, reception unit 334 outputs the output radio wave to rectification unit 336. Thereby, the rectification unit 336 converts the output of the reception unit 334 into electric power. The rectifier 336 supplies the converted power to the transmitter 332 and the receiver 334 (S422). When power is supplied, the receiving unit 334 converts the radio wave being output by the antenna 322 into a signal representing information. The reception unit 334 outputs a signal to the transmission unit 332 (S424). When the signal is output, the transmission unit 332 determines whether or not the signal is a signal requesting transmission of information stored in the storage unit 338 (S426). In this case, since it is determined as a signal for requesting transmission of information (YES in S426), transmission unit 332 transmits all clothing information stored in storage unit 338 to communication interface 306 (S428). When the clothing information is transmitted, the CPU 302 stores the signal output from the communication interface 306 in the memory 304 (S304).

  When the signal is stored in the memory 304, the CPU 302 determines the contents of the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydrating process, and the drying process based on the information stored in the memory 304 (S306). When the content of the process is determined, the CPU 302 determines the amount of water for washing and rinsing (S308). When the amount of water is determined, the CPU 302 calculates the total time required for washing, rinsing, and dehydration based on the determined amount of water during rinsing and rinsing, the contents of the washing step, the rinsing step, and the dehydration step ( S310). When the total time is calculated, the operation panel / notification unit 310 displays the total of the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydration process, and the time (S312). When they are displayed, the CPU 302 reads all the history information stored in the memory 304 (S314). When the information is read, the CPU 302 creates guide information for each piece of clothing with the RFID tag 320 attached based on the history information (S316). When the guide information is created, the operation panel / notification unit 310 receives a user instruction (S318). When the instruction is accepted, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the instruction is an instruction to display the history information and the guidance information (S320). In this case, since it is an instruction to display history information and guidance information (YES in S320), operation panel / notification unit 310 displays the content of guidance information (S322). When the content of the guidance information is displayed, the operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction (S324). When the user instruction is received, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by the operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to change the content of the washing process, the content of the rinsing process, or the content of the dehydration process. Judgment is made (S326). In this case, since it is not an instruction to change the contents of the washing process, the contents of the rinsing process, or the contents of the dehydration process (NO in S326), the CPU 302 closes the drain valve 88 and supplies water into the rotary tank 78. (S330).

  When the water is supplied, the CPU 302 waits for the amount of water in the rotating tank 78 to reach a predetermined amount (S332). Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction. When the user instruction is received, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by the operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information (S334). In this case, since it is determined that there is no such instruction (NO in S334), CPU 302 controls drive unit 80 to wash clothes (S338). The CPU 302 waits for a predetermined time to elapse (S340). Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction. When the user instruction is received, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by the operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information (S342). In this case, since it is determined that there is no such instruction (NO in S342), CPU 302 controls rotation of stirring blade 82 by controlling drive unit 80 (S346).

  When the rotation is stopped, the CPU 302 opens the drain valve 88. Accordingly, the washing water is drained through the hole 136, and the process shifts to the rinsing process (S346). Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction. When the user instruction is received, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by the operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display the history information and the guidance information (S350). In this case, since it is determined that there is no such instruction (NO in S350), CPU 302 closes drain valve 88 (S354). When the drain valve 88 is closed, the CPU 302 opens the valve of the water supply pipe described above and supplies water into the rotary tank 78 (S356). Thereafter, the CPU 302 waits for the amount of water in the rotating tank 78 to reach a predetermined amount (S358). Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction. When the user instruction is accepted, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction accepted by the operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information (S360). In this case, since it is determined that there is no such instruction (NO in S360), CPU 302 controls drive unit 80 to rinse the clothes (S364). The CPU 302 waits for a predetermined time to elapse (S366). Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction. When the user instruction is received, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by the operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display the history information and the guidance information (S368). In this case, since it is determined that there is no such instruction (NO in S368), CPU 302 stops the rotation of stirring blade 82. In addition, the CPU 302 drains the washing water. The process proceeds to a dehydration process (S372).

  While draining the washing water, the operation panel / notification unit 310 receives the user's instruction (S374). When the user instruction is received, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by the operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information (S376). In this case, since it is determined that there is no such instruction (NO in S376), CPU 302 dehydrates the clothing (S380). The CPU 302 waits for a predetermined time to elapse (S382). Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction. When the user instruction is accepted, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction accepted by the operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information (S384). In this case, since it is determined that there is no such instruction (NO in S384), CPU 302 closes drain valve 88. When the drain valve 88 is closed, the CPU 302 controls the driving unit 80 to rotate the rotating tank 78 and the stirring blade 82 at a predetermined rotation speed (S388).

  The CPU 302 waits for a predetermined time to elapse (S390). Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction. When the user instruction is received, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by the operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display the history information and the guidance information (S392). In this case, since it is determined that there is no such instruction (NO in S392), CPU 302 adds a process of loosening clothes (S396). When the step of loosening clothes is added, the CPU 302 drives the drying fan 120 and the heater 122 (S398). Thereby, drying of clothing is performed. When the clothes are dried, the CPU 302 sprays cooling water from the nozzle 128 (S400). The CPU 302 waits for a predetermined time to elapse (S402). Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction. When the user instruction is received, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by the operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information (S404). In this case, since it is determined that there is no such instruction (NO in S404), CPU 302 stops rotating tank 78, stirring blade 82, heater 122, drying fan 120, and nozzle 128 (S408). When they are stopped, the CPU 302 drains the water in the hot air path 108 (S410). Meanwhile, operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction. When the user instruction is received, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the user instruction received by the operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information (S412). In this case, since it is determined that there is no such instruction (NO in S412), CPU 302 updates the history information (S416).

  When the history information is updated, the CPU 302 causes the RFID tag 320 to transmit the history information stored in the memory 304 (S418). When the information is transmitted, the transmission unit 332 determines whether the signal is a signal for updating the information stored in the storage unit 338 (S430). In this case, since it is determined that the information is to be updated (YES in S430), reception unit 334 converts the information output from antenna 322 into information that can be stored in storage unit 338 (S432). The reception unit 334 outputs the converted information to the transmission unit 332. The transmission unit 332 stores the information output from the reception unit 334 in the storage unit 338.

  As described above, the washing and drying machine according to the present embodiment can determine and display the contents of the washing process, the contents of the rinsing process, the contents of the dehydration process, and the total time according to the material of the clothing. Thereby, the contents of the washing process and the like are set more appropriately. Furthermore, the washing / drying machine according to the present embodiment can create and display guidance information according to the material of clothing. As a result, it is possible to obtain a guideline for managing clothing, such as a guideline for the degree of damage to the clothing and the disposal time. As a result, it is possible to provide a more advanced washing apparatus that improves convenience for the user.

  In addition, you may supply water during a rinse process. In this case, the washing water overflowing from the rotary tank 78 through the notch 140 of the balancer 138 is collected by the water tank 76. The collected washing water is drained through the drain port 123.

  Moreover, the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 338 is not pinpointed by the above-mentioned content. There may be no part of the above contents. For example, the rotation pattern during washing, the washing time, the rotation pattern during rinsing, the number of times of rinsing, the rinsing time, the dehydration rotation pattern, and the dehydration time may not be included. In this case, these pieces of information may be stored in advance in the memory 304 for each clothing material. Thereby, CPU302 can specify these contents, if the information on the material of clothing is received. Incidentally, other contents may be added in addition to the contents described above. In this case, the CPU 302 can realize new control corresponding to the newly added information.

  Furthermore, instead of the RFID tag, another IC tag or transmitter may be attached to the clothing. Such a transmitter or the like may not transmit ID or the like in response to some radio wave, but may autonomously transmit ID or the like at intervals of 1 second, for example.

<Fourth embodiment>
Hereinafter, a clothes dryer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 20, clothes dryer 400 according to the present embodiment is installed in a state where it is laid down so that it can be rotated coaxially with bottomed and cylindrical water tank 402 and water tank 402. Drum (dryer) 404, control unit 406, and circulation path 408. The drum 404 is rotated by a motor (not shown) while housing the clothes. Thereby, clothing is dried uniformly. The control unit 406 controls each unit of the clothes dryer 400. The circulation path 408 circulates drying air.

  An air supply port 420 is provided in the upper part of the water tank 402. An exhaust port 422 is provided on the side of the water tank 402. The air supply port 420 and the exhaust port 422 are connected to each other by a circulation path 408. In addition, a drain pipe 424 is provided in the lower part of the water tank 402. The drain pipe 424 drains the cooling water of the heat exchanger 432 flowing into the water tank 402 or the condensed water of the drying air through the exhaust duct 430 described later. The direction in which these wastewater flows is the direction of the black arrows in FIG.

  The drum 404 has a small hole (not shown) on its peripheral surface. Air or the like supplied into the drum 404 can freely pass between the water tank 402 and the drum 404 through this hole.

  The circulation path 408 includes an exhaust duct 430, a heat exchanger 432, a heat storage unit 434, a blower 436, a heater 438 disposed in the subsequent stage of the blower 436, and an air supply duct 440. The exhaust duct 430 guides the drying air discharged from the exhaust port 422 to the heat exchanger 432. The heat exchanger 432 cools the drying air with water. This condenses water vapor in the air. The heat storage unit 434 stores heat or dissipates heat. The blower 436 circulates drying air. In the case of this embodiment, the direction of circulation is the direction of the white arrow in FIG. The heater 438 heats the drying air. This raises the temperature of the air. The air supply duct 440 guides drying air to the air supply port 420.

  A temperature sensor 455 is provided in the upper part of the exhaust duct 430. The temperature sensor 455 detects the temperature of the drying air exhausted from the water tank 402. The temperature sensor 455 transmits the detected result to the control unit 406.

  A water supply valve 460 is connected to the heat exchanger 432. The water supply valve 460 stops the supply of water.

  The heat storage unit 434 holds the heat storage material 470. The specific material of the heat storage material 470 and the principle of heat storage and heat dissipation are not particularly limited. In the case of the present embodiment, heat storage material 470 stores and releases heat when the phase changes. In the case of the present embodiment, the heat storage material 470 is polyethylene glycol. Polyethylene glycol undergoes a phase change at about 60 ° C.

  Referring to FIG. 21, control unit 406 includes a CPU 450 and a control interface 454 that are connected to each other via a bus, instead of CPU 302 and control interface 308 according to the third embodiment. The CPU 450 controls each device of the clothes dryer 400 and each circuit and each device of the control unit 406. The control interface 454 converts the signal output from the CPU 450 into a signal that can be used by each device of the clothes dryer 400. The control interface 454 is also a circuit that converts signals output from each device of the clothes dryer 400 into signals that can be used by the CPU 450. Thus, the CPU 450 can control each device of the clothes dryer 400. Other hardware configurations are the same as those in the third embodiment described above. The function about them is the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

  Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the program executed by control unit 406 has the following control structure for drying clothes by clothes dryer 400. In the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the processes shown in FIG. 16 are given the same step numbers. These processes are the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

  In S500, CPU 450 determines the content of the drying process based on the information stored in memory 304. In the case of the present embodiment, CPU 450 determines the content of the drying process so that the clothes are dried most quickly. The contents of the drying process are determined by the power supplied to the heater 438 and the temperature at which the water supply valve 460 is closed. That is, CPU 450 determines the power to be supplied so as to match the maximum power among the power represented by the information stored in memory 304. In addition, CPU 450 determines a temperature at which water supply valve 460 is closed so as to match the minimum temperature among the temperatures represented by the information stored in memory 304. The CPU 450 stores information indicating the determined drying process in the memory 304.

  In S502, CPU 450 calculates the time required for drying based on the determined content of the drying process. In S504, CPU 450 outputs a signal corresponding to the determined content of the drying process to operation panel / notification unit 310. The operation panel / notification unit 310 displays the content of the drying process corresponding to the signal output by the CPU 450.

  At S506, CPU 450 reads all the history information stored in memory 304. In the case of the present embodiment, the history information is information indicating the number of times of drying in the past by the dryer, the date and time of drying by the dryer, and the past drying process.

  In S508, CPU 450 determines whether or not the user instruction received by operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to change the content of the drying process. If it is determined that the instruction is to change the content of the drying process (YES in S508), the process proceeds to S328. If not (NO in S508), the process proceeds to S510.

  In S510, control unit 406 starts heater 438 and blower 436. The water supply valve 460 is in a closed state. When the heater 438 and the blower 436 are started, drying air flows into the water tank 402 from the air supply port 420. When drying air flows into the water tank 402, the drying air evaporates moisture contained in clothing in the drum 404. The drying air from which moisture has evaporated flows out from the exhaust port 422 to the circulation path 408. The drying air that has flowed out passes through the heat exchanger 432 and flows into the heat storage unit 434. When the drying air flows into the heat storage unit 434, the heat storage material 470 of the heat storage unit 434 takes heat away from the drying air due to a phase change. Thereby, the air for drying is cooled. On the other hand, heat is stored in the heat storage material 470. As a result, moisture in the drying air is condensed. As moisture condenses, the drying air is dehumidified. The condensed moisture is drained from the drain pipe 424. The dehumidified drying air is heated by the heater 438 and then supplied into the water tank 402. Thereby, the air for drying circulates. Furthermore, the temperature of the drying air gradually increases according to the amount of heat stored in the heat storage material 470. During this time, the evaporation rate of the drying air hardly decreases. The reason is that the dehumidification amount decreases as the temperature of the heat storage material 470 increases, while the saturated water vapor amount of the drying air increases.

  In S512, temperature sensor 455 detects the temperature of the air discharged from water tank 402. The temperature sensor 455 outputs the detected value to the control unit 406. The control unit 406 waits until the temperature of the air discharged from the water tank 402 exceeds 70 ° C. When the exhaust temperature exceeds 70 ° C., almost all of the heat storage material 470 undergoes a phase change. When almost all of the heat storage material 470 undergoes a phase change, the ability to store heat decreases. Since the ability to store heat is reduced, the ability to cool the drying air is also reduced.

  In S514, control unit 406 opens water supply valve 460. When the water supply valve 460 is opened, cooling water is supplied to the heat exchanger 432. When the cooling water is supplied, the drying air is cooled with water. When the drying air is water-cooled, the drying air is dehumidified by condensation of water vapor. Cooling water and condensed water by dehumidification are drained through a drain pipe 424. The drying air that has become low temperature due to water cooling exchanges heat with the heat storage material 470 in the heat storage unit 434. The heat storage material 470 changes phase and releases heat. The drying air absorbs heat released from the heat storage material 470. Thereby, the temperature of the air for drying rises. The air whose temperature has risen is further heated by the heater 438. The power supplied to the heater 438 is controlled by the CPU 450. The power value is determined by information stored in the memory 304. The heated drying air is supplied into the water tank 402. At this time, the air supplied into the water tank 402 is air having a large amount of dehumidification as compared with air that is not cooled with cooling water. The reason is that the heat exchanger 432 is dehumidified at a low temperature. At this time, since the dehumidification amount of the air supplied into the water tank 402 is larger than that of the air not cooled with the cooling water, the evaporation amount of water in the water tank 402 gradually increases. Since the amount of water evaporation gradually increases, the amount of decrease in temperature accompanying the evaporation of water also increases gradually. Since the temperature decrease amount gradually increases, the temperature of the air exhausted from the water tank 402 also gradually decreases.

  In S516, temperature sensor 455 detects the temperature of the air discharged from water tank 402. The temperature sensor 455 outputs the detected value to the control unit 406. The control unit 406 determines whether or not the temperature of the air discharged from the water tank 402 is lower than the value stored in the memory 304. If it is determined that the temperature has fallen below the value stored in memory 304 (YES in S516), the process proceeds to S526 in order to store heat using heat storage material 470. If not (NO in S516), the process proceeds to S518.

  In S518, control unit 406 determines whether or not drying is completed based on the temperature and humidity of the drying air exhausted from water tank 402. When the drying is finished, the temperature of the drying air exhausted from the water tank 402 does not decrease, which is the reason for determining whether or not the drying is finished based on temperature and humidity. The reason why the temperature does not decrease after drying is that the amount of water contained in the clothing is reduced when the clothing is dried in the water supply to the heat exchanger 432. If it is determined that the drying has been completed (YES in S518), the process proceeds to S520. If not (NO in S518), the process proceeds to S516.

  In S520, control unit 406 stops heater 438 and blower 436. At the same time, the control unit 406 closes the water supply valve 460. At S <b> 522, CPU 450 updates the history information among the information stored in memory 304. In S524, CPU 450 controls RFID interface 320 to cause RFID tag 320 to transmit the history information stored in memory 304. In S526, control unit 406 closes water supply valve 460.

  The operation of the clothes dryer 400 based on the above structure and flowchart will be described.

  Through the processes of S300 to S304, the CPU 450 determines the content of the drying process based on the information stored in the memory 304 (S500). When the content of the drying process is determined, the CPU 450 calculates the time required for drying based on the determined content of the drying process (S502). When the time is calculated, the operation panel / notification unit 310 displays the content of the drying process corresponding to the signal output from the CPU 450 (S504). When the contents of the drying process are displayed, the CPU 450 reads all the history information stored in the memory 304 (S506). When the information is read, CPU 450 creates guide information for each piece of clothing with RFID tag 320 attached based on the history information (S316). When the guide information is created, the operation panel / notification unit 310 receives a user instruction (S318). When the instruction is received, CPU 450 determines whether or not the user instruction received by operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to display history information and guidance information (S320). In this case, since it is determined that the history information and the guidance information are to be displayed (YES in S320), operation panel / notification unit 310 has the history information and the content of the guidance information corresponding to the signal output by CPU 450. Is displayed (S322). When the content is displayed, the operation panel / notification unit 310 accepts a user instruction (S324). When the instruction is accepted, CPU 450 determines whether or not the user instruction accepted by operation panel / notification unit 310 is an instruction to change the content of the drying process (S508). In this case, since it is determined that the instruction is to change the content of the drying process (YES in S508), the control unit 406 starts the heater 438 and the blower 436 through the processing of S328 (S510).

  When the heater 438 and the blower 436 are started, the temperature sensor 455 detects the temperature of the air discharged from the water tank 402 (S512). The control unit 406 waits until the temperature of the air discharged from the water tank 402 exceeds 70 ° C. When the exhaust temperature exceeds 70 ° C., the control unit 406 opens the water supply valve 460 (S514). When the water supply valve 460 is opened, the temperature of the air exhausted from the water tank 402 also gradually decreases. While the air temperature decreases, the temperature sensor 455 detects the temperature of the air discharged from the water tank 402. The control unit 406 determines whether or not the temperature of the air discharged from the water tank 402 has fallen below the value stored in the memory 304 (S516). Initially, it is determined that the temperature has fallen below the value stored in memory 304 (YES in S516), control unit 406 closes water supply valve 460 (S526). When the water supply valve 460 is closed, the processing of S512 to S516 is repeated, and finally the control unit 406 determines whether or not the temperature of the air discharged from the water tank 402 is lower than the value stored in the memory 304. (S516). Eventually, the temperature of the air discharged from the water tank 402 is equal to or higher than the value stored in the memory 304 (NO in S516), so the control unit 406 determines the temperature of the drying air exhausted from the water tank 402. It is determined whether or not the drying is finished based on temperature and humidity (S518). Since it is finally determined that the drying is finished (YES in S518), control unit 406 stops heater 438 and blower 436. In addition, the control unit 406 closes the water supply valve 460 (S520). When the heater 438 and the blower 436 are stopped and the water supply valve 460 is closed, the CPU 450 updates the history information among the information stored in the memory 304 (S522). When the history information is updated, the CPU 450 controls the communication interface 306 to cause the RFID tag 320 to transmit the history information stored in the memory 304 (S524). Thereby, the operation of the clothes dryer 400 ends.

  As described above, the clothes dryer according to the present embodiment can determine and display the contents of the drying process. Furthermore, the clothes dryer according to the present embodiment can create and display guidance information. As a result, a dryer that improves convenience for the user can be provided.

  In addition, although switching of the water supply valve 460 is performed based on the exhaust temperature of the water tank 402, switching may be performed according to the operation time of the clothes dryer 400 or the like. Further, although the water supply valve 460 is opened and closed when the exhaust temperature is 55 ° C. and 70 ° C., an optimum temperature can be set according to the phase change temperature of the heat storage material 470.

  If the phase change temperature of the heat storage material 470 exceeds 70 ° C., the temperature of the drying air when the water supply valve 460 is closed becomes high, which may damage the clothing. On the other hand, when the temperature is lower than 50 ° C., it is difficult to lower the temperature of the exhaust gas, and it is necessary to supply water for a long time. For this reason, it is desirable to use the heat storage material 470 whose phase change temperature is 50 to 70 ° C., and it is more desirable to use the heat storage material of 55 to 65 ° C.

  Moreover, although this embodiment cools and dehumidifies the air for drying by water cooling, the same effect can be acquired also when performing cooling by a refrigerating cycle or cooling using both water cooling and air cooling.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a washing apparatus system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the position which attaches the RFID tag which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the position which attaches the reading and registration machine which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and an alerting | reporting part. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of control of the washing process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the content of the costume information which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of the washing-drying system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of control of the drying process which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of the washing / drying machine which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a structure figure of the drive part of the washing dryer which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and its vicinity. It is a top view of the rotary tank which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the section of the rotation tank concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the stirring blade which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the cross section of the hole which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of the control part which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of the RFID tag which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st flowchart which shows the procedure of control of the washing process which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows the procedure of control of the washing process which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 3rd flowchart which shows the procedure of control of the washing process which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of control of the communication process and update process which concern on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of the clothes dryer which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of the control part which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st flowchart which shows the procedure of control of the drying process which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows the procedure of control of the drying process which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  10, 320 RFID tag, 20 washing device, 22 central information processing device, 24 reading and registering machine, 26, 62 structure unit, 28 notification unit, 30, 302, 450 CPU, 32, 304 memory, 34 ROM, 36 RAM, 38 clock, 40, 50, 72, 406 control unit, 42 RF transmission / reception unit, 46, 322 antenna, 52 washing unit, 60 washing drying device, 64 drying unit, 70 washing dryer, 74 outer frame, 76, 402 water tank, 78 Rotating tank, 80 Drive part, 82 Stirring blade, 84 Connecting pipe, 86 First drain pipe, 88 Drain valve, 90 Second drain pipe, 92 Drain hose, 100 Top plate, 102 Opening, 104 Opening / closing lid, 106 Water tank cover, 108 Hot air path, 110 Third packing, 112 Seal holder, 114 Inner lid, 116 First seal, 118 Hot air supply unit, 120 drying fan, 122,438 heater, 123 drain port, 124 outlet, 126 lint filter, 128 nozzle, 130 oil seal, 132 bottom member, 134 body member, 136 hole, 138 balancer, 140 Notch, 142 seal ring, 144 dewatering flange, 146 drainage path, 148 motor, 150 mechanism, 152 belt, 160 dewatering shaft, 162 stirring blade shaft, 164 second seal, 170 flange portion, 174 first protrusion, 176 Second projection, 178 Vent, 180 Curved surface, 190 First packing, 192 Second packing, 306 Communication interface, 308, 454 Control interface, 310 Operation panel / notification unit, 324 IC chip, 332 Transmitter, 334 Receiver 336 rectifier, 338 storage unit, 400 clothes dryer, 404 drum, 408 circulation path, 420 air supply port, 422 exhaust port, 424 drain pipe, 430 exhaust duct, 432 heat exchanger, 434 heat storage unit, 436 blower, 440 air supply duct, 455 temperature sensor, 460 water supply valve, 470 heat storage material.

Claims (21)

Receiving means for receiving information from a communication device attached to the clothing;
Storage means for storing the information received by the receiving means, including information identifying the content of the process, for any of the washing steps;
Determining means for determining the content of the process based on the information stored in the storage means;
A washing apparatus comprising: washing means for washing the clothing based on the content decided by the decision means.   The washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining means includes means for determining the content of washing.   The washing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means for determining the content of the washing includes means for determining the content so as to correspond to any of a quantity and a material of the plurality of clothes.   The washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining means includes means for determining the contents of rinsing.   The washing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the means for determining the contents of the rinse includes means for determining the contents so as to correspond to any of a quantity and a material of the plurality of clothes.   The washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining means includes means for determining the content of dehydration.   The washing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the means for determining the content of the dehydration includes means for determining the content so as to correspond to any of a quantity and a material of the plurality of clothes. The washing apparatus includes:
Based on the content determined by the determining means, a calculating means for calculating the time spent for performing any of the steps of washing;
The washing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying information indicating time spent for performing any one of the washing steps.   9. The washing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the calculating means includes means for calculating time spent for performing the plurality of washing steps. The information received by the receiving means includes information indicating either the number of times of washing and the date of washing for the garment to which the communication device is attached, and information specifying the content of the process,
The washing apparatus includes:
In order to create information indicating suitability of washing when any of a plurality of washing methods is used for each piece of clothing to which the communication device is attached, based on information representing either the number of washings or the date. Means for creating
The washing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying information created by the creation means. The plurality of washing methods include:
A method of washing using the washing apparatus;
The washing apparatus according to claim 10, comprising a method different from a washing method using the washing apparatus. Receiving means for receiving information from a communication device attached to the clothing;
Storage means for storing information received by the receiving means, including information specifying conditions for drying clothes;
A determining unit for determining a condition for drying the clothes based on the information stored in the storage unit;
A drying device including drying means for drying the clothing based on the condition determined by the determining means.   The drying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the determining means includes means for determining a plurality of conditions for drying the garment by selecting a combination of a plurality of conditions.   The drying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the determining means includes means for determining the condition so as to correspond to the amount of clothing.   The drying device according to claim 12, wherein the determining means includes means for determining the condition so as to correspond to a material of the clothing.   The drying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the condition determined by the determining means includes a condition for specifying a drying temperature.   The drying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the condition determined by the determining unit includes a condition for specifying an air volume for drying.   The drying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the drying apparatus further includes display means for displaying the conditions determined by the determination means.   The drying apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising display means for displaying information indicating whether or not the drying apparatus is suitable for drying, received by the receiving means. The information received by the receiving means includes information representing the history of drying of the clothes to which the communication device is attached,
The drying device
Based on the information representing the history of drying, for each clothing to which the communication device is attached, creating means for creating information representing the suitability of drying;
The drying apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising display means for displaying information created by the creating means.   The creating means is based on whether or not the number of times that the clothing attached with the communication device is dried by a drying device is specified by information representing the history of drying is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times. 21. The drying apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising means for creating information indicating suitability of the apparatus.

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