CN108138420B

CN108138420B - Washing and drying machine

Info

Publication number: CN108138420B
Application number: CN201680058864.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 辻贵裕; 金田隆二
Original assignee: Qingdao Jiaonan Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Jiaonan Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-10-09
Filing date: 2016-10-09
Publication date: 2020-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-09
Also published as: EP3360997A1; KR20180067594A; US20180291544A1; JP2017070648A; WO2017059814A1; CN108138420A; EP3360997A4

Abstract

The invention provides a washing and drying machine which can expect improvement of drying efficiency. A full-automatic washing and drying machine (1) is provided with: an outer tub (20) elastically supported in the cabinet (10); a washing and dehydrating tub (24) rotatably disposed in the outer tub (20); a hot air supply unit (50) including a heater and a fan, for supplying air heated by the operation of the heater from an upper portion of the outer tub (20) into the washing and dehydrating tub (24) by the operation of the fan; and a discharge port (20c) provided at a lower portion of the outer tub (20) for discharging air after contacting with laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub (24). An exhaust duct (80) extending upward is connected to the discharge port (20c), an exhaust port (83) is formed in the exhaust duct (80), and the exhaust port (83) is located at a position higher than the overflow water level at which water overflows from the outer tub (20).

Description

Washing and drying machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine.

Background

Conventionally, a washing and drying machine is known which has a clothes drying function mounted on a so-called scroll washing machine (fully automatic washing machine) which washes clothes by generating water flow in a washing and drying tub by means of a pulsator disposed at the bottom of the washing and drying tub. An example of such a washing and drying machine is described in patent document 1, for example.

In the washing and drying machine of patent document 1, a hot air supply unit for supplying high-temperature air into the washing and drying tub is disposed on an upper panel having a laundry inlet. An opening of an upper surface of an outer tub provided with a washing tub dehydration tub is covered by an outer tub cover having an inner cover. The hot air generated by the hot air supply unit is blown out from the upper part of the outer barrel to the washing and dehydrating barrel through a hot air pipeline connected with the outer barrel cover. The inner cover is formed with an exhaust hole, and hot air supplied into the washing tub is discharged to the outside of the outer tub through the exhaust hole and is discharged to the outside of the washing tub through a vent hole in the back of the outer box.

In the above structure, the air exhaust holes are formed in the inner cover of the outer tub, so that the hot air from the upper part of the outer tub is easy to exhaust before reaching the lower part of the washing and dewatering tub. Therefore, in the washing and dehydrating tub, only the upper surface of the laundry is easily contacted with the hot air, and the hot air hardly penetrates the laundry. Therefore, the above-described structure may cause a reduction in drying efficiency.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2007-44228

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing and drying machine which can expect improvement of drying efficiency.

Means for solving the problems

A washing and drying machine according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: an outer tub elastically supported in the casing; a washing and dehydrating tub rotatably disposed in the outer tub; a hot air supply part including a heater and a fan, for supplying the air heated by the operation of the heater from the upper part of the outer tub into the washing and dehydrating tub by the operation of the fan; and a discharge port arranged at the lower part of the outer barrel for discharging the air contacted with the washings in the washing and dehydrating barrel.

According to the above structure, the air outlet from the outer barrel is formed at the lower part of the outer barrel, so the hot air sent into the outer barrel from the upper part is easy to flow to the lower part of the washing and dehydrating barrel. Thus, the hot air is easy to permeate the washings in the washing and dehydrating barrel, so that the clothes drying efficiency can be expected to be improved.

The washing and drying machine of this aspect may further include an exhaust unit that discharges air flowing out from the discharge port during drying without leaking water stored in the outer tub during washing. For example, the exhaust part may include an exhaust duct connected to the discharge port and extending upward. In this case, an exhaust port is formed in the exhaust duct, and the exhaust port is located at a position higher than an overflow water level at which water overflows from the tub.

According to the structure, the air outlet can be arranged at the lower part of the outer barrel without worrying about water leakage during washing.

The washing and drying machine of the scheme can adopt the following structure: the housing includes an upper panel having an inlet for laundry, the hot air supply unit is disposed in a housing chamber provided in the upper panel, an air inlet of the hot air supply unit faces an inner wall surface of the housing chamber at a distance, and air flowing in the housing chamber is taken into the air inlet by operation of the fan.

According to the above configuration, since the air heated by the heat from the hot air supply unit can be heated by the heater, the heating amount of the heater can be suppressed, and the power consumption of the washing and drying machine during the drying process can be suppressed.

In the case of adopting the above structure, the following structure may be further adopted: the accommodating part is provided with an opening communicated with a space between the shell and the outer barrel, and air in the space is absorbed and circulated in the accommodating chamber through the work of the fan.

In the case of such a configuration, since the air heated by the heat from the outer tub can be taken into the storage chamber, the air heated further can be taken into the air inlet of the hot air supply unit, and the heating amount of the heater can be further suppressed.

The washing and drying machine in the scheme can adopt the following structure: the casing includes an upper panel having an inlet for laundry, the hot air supply unit is disposed in a housing chamber provided in the upper panel, the housing chamber has an opening communicating with a space between the casing and the tub, an air inlet of the hot air supply unit is opposed to the opening, and air in the space is taken into the air inlet by operation of the fan.

According to the above structure, the air heated by the heat from the outer barrel can be taken into the hot air supply part, so that the power consumption of the washing and drying machine in the drying process can be restrained.

As described above, in the case of the washing and drying machine adopting the structure in which the air taken into the hot wind supply part is heated by the heat from the tub and the hot wind supply part, further, the washing and drying machine may adopt the following structure: a control unit that performs a first clothes drying operation and a second clothes drying operation, wherein the first clothes drying operation operates the heater and the fan, and supplies air heated by the heater from the hot air supply unit into the tub; the second drying operation is immediately followed by the first drying operation, and the fan is operated in a state where the heater is stopped, and air not heated by the heater is supplied from the hot air supply unit into the outer tub.

With such a configuration, the laundry can be dried by using the residual heat of the hot air supply unit and the outer tub, and thus the power consumption of the washing and drying machine can be suppressed during the drying process.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing and drying machine which can expect an improvement in drying efficiency.

The effects and significance of the present invention will be further clarified by the following description of the embodiments. However, the following embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of a full automatic washing and drying machine according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the full automatic washing and drying machine in a state where the rear cover is removed and the upper cover is opened according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the full automatic washing and drying machine according to the embodiment, in which the hot air supply unit, the water supply unit, and the water level sensor are further removed from the state of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the outer tub equipped with the exhaust duct according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the outer tub and the exhaust duct of the embodiment taken along a central portion of the exhaust duct in the lateral direction.

3 fig. 3 6 3 ( 3a 3) 3 is 3a 3 cross 3- 3 sectional 3 view 3 of 3 the 3 exhaust 3 pipe 3 taken 3 along 3 line 3a 3- 3a 3 ' 3 of 3 fig. 35 3 according 3 to 3 the 3

embodiment

3, 3 and 3 fig. 3 6 3 ( 3b 3) 3 is 3a 3 cross 3- 3 sectional 3 view 3 of 3 the 3 exhaust 3 pipe 3 taken 3 along 3 line 3b 3- 3b 3' 3 of 3 fig. 35 3 according 3 to 3 the 3 embodiment 3. 3

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a structure of the full automatic washing and drying machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation control operation in the clothes drying process according to the embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a main part showing a structure of a full automatic washing and drying machine according to a modification 1.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a main part showing a structure of a full automatic washing and drying machine according to a modification 2.

Fig. 11 is a side sectional view of a full automatic washing and drying machine according to a modification 3.

Description of reference numerals:

1: a full-automatic washing and drying machine (washer-dryer); 10: a housing; 12: an upper panel; 14: a throwing port; 20: an outer tub; 20 c: an outlet port; 24: a washing dehydration barrel; 50: a hot air supply unit (hot air supply unit); 50A: a hot air supply unit (hot air supply unit); 51 a: an air suction port; 52: a fan; 53: a heater; 80: an exhaust duct (exhaust section); 83: an exhaust port; 100: a housing chamber; 106: a first opening (opening); 107: a second opening (opening); 108: a third opening (opening); 109: a fourth opening (opening); 110: an opening/closing valve (exhaust unit); 130: an air intake (opening); 201: a control unit.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a washing and drying machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 to 3 are views showing the structure of the full automatic washing and drying machine 1. Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of the full automatic washing and drying machine 1, and fig. 2 is a plan view of the full automatic washing and drying machine 1 in a state where a rear cover 102 is removed and an upper cover 15 is opened. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the full automatic washing and drying machine 1 with the hot wind supply unit 50, the water supply unit 60, and the water level sensor 70 further removed from the state of fig. 2.

The full automatic washing and drying machine 1 includes a cabinet 10 constituting an external appearance. The casing 10 includes: a square tubular fuselage portion 11 with an open upper and lower surface, an upper panel 12 covering the upper surface of the fuselage portion 11, and a base 13 supporting the fuselage portion 11. The upper panel 12 is formed with a laundry inlet 14. The inlet 14 is covered with an openable and closable upper cover 15.

Inside the cabinet 10, the outer tub 20 is elastically suspended and supported by four hanger bars 21 having a vibration preventing means. The upper surface of the outer tub 20 is covered by an outer tub cover 22. The outer tub cover 22 has an opening 22a having a size almost equal to the size of the inlet 14 formed at a position corresponding to the inlet 14. The opening 22a is covered with an inner lid 23 so as to be openable and closable.

The outer tub 20 is provided with a washing and dehydrating tub 24. The washing and spin-drying tub 24 rotates around a rotation shaft extending in the vertical direction. A plurality of dewatering holes 24a are formed in the inner circumferential surface of the washing and dewatering tub 24 over the entire circumference. A balancing ring 25 is provided at the upper part of the washing and dehydrating tub 24. A pulsator 26 is disposed at the bottom of the washing and dehydrating tub 24. A plurality of blades 26a are radially provided on the surface of the pulsator 26.

A driving unit 30 is disposed at an outer bottom of the outer tub 20, and the driving unit 30 generates a torque to drive the washing and dehydrating tub 24 and the pulsator 26. The drive unit 30 includes a drive motor 31 and a transmission mechanism portion 32. The transmission mechanism unit 32 has a clutch mechanism 32a, and transmits the torque of the drive motor 31 only to the pulsator 26 and rotates only the pulsator 26 in the washing process and the rinsing process by switching operation of the clutch mechanism 32 a; in the dehydration process, the torque of the driving motor 31 is transmitted to the pulsator 26 and the washing and dehydrating tub 24, so that the pulsator 26 and the washing and dehydrating tub 24 rotate integrally.

A drain port 20a is formed at an outer bottom of the outer tub 20. The drain port portion 20a is provided with a drain valve 40. The drain valve 40 is connected to a drain hose 41. When the drain valve 40 is opened, the water accumulated in the washing and dehydrating tub 24 and the outer tub 20 is discharged out of the machine through the drain hose 41.

An operation portion 16 is provided at the front portion of the upper panel 12. The operation unit 16 includes various operation buttons such as a power button 16a, a start button 16b, and a mode selection button 16 c. The power button 16a is a button for turning on and off the power of the full automatic washing and drying machine 1. The start button 16b is a button for starting the operation. The mode selection button 16c is a button for selecting an arbitrary operation mode from a plurality of operation modes of the washing operation, the washing and drying operation, and the drying operation.

A storage chamber 100 is provided in the rear portion of the upper panel 12 so as to be closed from the outside. The housing chamber 100 is configured by a housing recess 101 and a rear cover 102, wherein the housing recess 101 has a bottom surface 101a, a front side surface 101b, a rear side surface 101c, a left side surface 101d, and a right side surface 101e, and an upper surface is open, and the rear cover 102 covers the upper surface of the housing recess 101. The hot air supply unit 50, the water supply unit 60, the water level sensor 70, and the like are disposed in the storage chamber 100.

As shown in fig. 2, the hot air supply unit 50 is disposed on the left side of the center in the storage chamber 100. The hot air supply unit 50 includes: a housing 51, a fan 52, a heater 53, and a hot air duct 54. The hot air supply unit 50 corresponds to a hot air supply unit of the present invention.

The housing 51 has a substantially L-shaped rectangular parallelepiped shape extending rightward and then bent forward. The casing 51 has an intake port 51a formed in the rear surface on the left end side and an exhaust port 51b formed in the bottom surface on the right end side. The air inlet 51a faces the rear surface 101c of the housing recess 101 at a distance, and no opening communicating with the outside, such as an intake port for outside air, is formed in a region of the rear surface 101c facing the air inlet 51 a. Further, a plurality of first mounting portions 51c for fixing the hot air supply unit 50 are provided at appropriate positions of the housing 51.

The fan 52 is a centrifugal fan, and includes a blower 52a and a motor 52b that rotates the blower 52 a. The blower 52a is disposed in the casing 51 so as to face the air inlet 51 a. The heater 53 is disposed downstream of the blower 52a in the casing 51. The heater 53 is a PCT heater (semiconductor heater) that is self-temperature-adjustable, and the lower the temperature of the air to be heated, the larger the amount of heat generation thereof becomes. The hot air supply unit 50 may be a fan other than a centrifugal fan or a heater other than a PCT heater.

The hot air duct 54 is formed of an elastic member or the like, has flexibility, and has one end connected to the exhaust port 51b of the casing 51 and the other end connected to the air outlet 20b formed in the outer tub cover 22. The blow-out port 20b faces the inside of the washing and dehydrating tub 24.

The water supply unit 60 is disposed on the right side of the center in the storage chamber 100. The water feed unit 60 includes: a water filling opening 61, a water supply valve 62, a bath water pump 63, and a water supply pipe 64. The water filling opening portion 61 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the front-rear direction. The water inlet 61 has a first inlet 61a and a second inlet 61b for taking in tap water and a third inlet 61c for taking in bath water formed on the upper surface thereof, and a water inlet 61d formed on the bottom surface thereof. A softener box (not shown) into which the softener is introduced is accommodated in the water inlet portion 61 so as to be extractable from the front. Further, a plurality of second mounting portions 61e for fixing the water supply unit 60 are provided at appropriate positions of the water filling port portion 61.

The water feed valve 62 is a double valve, and has a first outlet 62a connected to the first inlet 61a and a second outlet 62b connected to the second inlet 61 b. A first connection port 62c is formed in the upper surface of the water feed valve 62. The first connection port 62c is connected to a water supply hose (not shown) extending from the faucet to the outside in a state where the receiving recess 101 is covered with the rear cover 102.

The bath water feed hose 63a of the bath water pump 63 is connected to the third inlet 61 c. A second connection port 63b is formed on the upper surface of the bath water pump 63. The second connection port 63b is connected to the second connection port 63b with a bath hose (not shown) in a state where the receiving recess 101 is covered with the rear cover 102. When the bath water is supplied from the bathtub, the water suction port at the tip end of the bath water hose is immersed in the bathtub.

The water supply pipe 64 is formed of an elastic member or the like, has flexibility, and has one end connected to the water filling port 61d of the water filling port portion 61 and the other end connected to a water supply port (not shown) formed in the outer tub cover 22.

When the valve on the first outlet 62a side of the water feed valve 62 is opened, tap water is taken into the water inlet 61 through the first inlet 61 a. The taken-in tap water is discharged from the water injection port 61d without passing through the conditioner box. Similarly, the bath water taken into the water inlet 61 through the third inlet 61c by the operation of the bath water pump 63 is discharged from the water inlet 61d without passing through the conditioner case. On the other hand, when the valve on the second outlet 62b side of the water feed valve 62 is opened, tap water is taken into the water inlet portion 61 through the second inlet 61 b. The taken-in tap water passes through the softener box and is discharged from the water injection port 61d in a state where the softener is mixed. The tap water and the bath water discharged from the water inlet 61d are supplied into the outer tub 20 through the water supply pipe 64.

The water level sensor 70 is disposed on the right side of the water feed valve 62 in the housing chamber 100. An air trap (not shown) is formed at the bottom of the tub 20, and the water level sensor 70 and the air trap are connected by an air hose 71. The water level sensor 70 detects the water level in the washing and dehydrating tub 24, i.e., in the outer tub 20.

As shown in fig. 3, a plurality of first mounting projections 103 corresponding to the first mounting portions 51c are formed at positions where the hot air supply unit 50 is disposed, and a plurality of second mounting projections 104 corresponding to the second mounting portions 61e are formed at positions where the water supply unit 60 is disposed, on the bottom surface 101a of the housing recess 101. A sensor mounting portion 105 is formed on the bottom surface 101a at a position where the water level sensor 70 is disposed. Further, the bottom surface 101a has: a first opening 106 through which the hot air supply duct 54 and the water supply duct 64 pass; a second opening 107 through which the electric wiring from the hot air supply unit 50 passes; a third opening 108 through which electric wiring from the water supply unit 60 and the water level sensor 70 passes; and a fourth opening 109 through which the air hose 71 extending from the water level sensor 70 passes. The first opening 106, the second opening 107, the third opening 108, and the fourth opening 109 correspond to the openings of the present invention.

The first mounting portion 51c is fixed to the first mounting boss 103 by a screw or the like, and thereby the hot air supply unit 50 is fixed in the housing chamber 100 without contacting the bottom surface 101a of the housing recess 101. The second mounting portion 61e is fixed to the second mounting boss 104 by a screw or the like, and thereby the water supply unit 60 is fixed in the housing chamber 100 without contacting the bottom surface 101a of the housing recess 101. The water level sensor 70 is fixed to the sensor mounting portion 105 without contacting the bottom surface 101a of the housing recess 101. In this way, since the hot air supply unit 50, the water supply unit 60, and the water level sensor 70 are not in contact with the bottom surface 101a, the first opening 106, the second opening 107, the third opening 108, and the fourth opening 109 are less likely to be blocked by the hot air supply unit 50, the water supply unit 60, and the water level sensor 70.

The air inlet for taking in air into the storage chamber 100 is not actively formed in any of the front, rear, left, right, and upper and lower wall surfaces of the storage chamber 100. However, gaps are formed between the first opening 106, the second opening 107, the third opening 108, and the fourth opening 109 formed in the bottom surface 101a of the housing recess 101, and the hot air duct 54, the water supply duct 64, various electric wirings, the air hose 71, and the like passing through the openings 106 to 109, and the openings 106 to 109. Thus, the openings 106 to 109 function as air inlets for taking air into the storage chamber 100 during the drying process.

As shown in fig. 1, a discharge port 20c is formed at a lower portion of the rear side surface of the outer tub 20. The exhaust port 20c is connected to an exhaust duct 80. The exhaust duct 80 extends upward, and an exhaust port 83 is formed near the upper end thereof. The exhaust duct 80 corresponds to an exhaust portion of the present invention.

An external air outlet 11a having a large number of holes is formed at a position facing the air outlet 83 on the rear surface of the body 11 of the casing 10. It is desirable that even if the up-down position of the outer tub 20 is changed according to the weight of the laundry put into the washing and dehydrating tub 24 and the up-down position of the exhaust port 83 of the exhaust duct 80 is changed accordingly, at least a part of the exhaust port 83 is not deviated from the external exhaust port 11a, and preferably, the entire exhaust port 83 is not deviated from the external exhaust port 11 a.

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the outer tub 20 with the exhaust duct 80 mounted thereon. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the tub 20 and the exhaust duct 80 taken through a central portion of the exhaust duct 80 in the lateral direction. 3 fig. 3 6 3 ( 3a 3) 3 is 3a 3 cross 3- 3 sectional 3 view 3 of 3 the 3 exhaust 3 duct 3 80 3 of 3 fig. 35 3 taken 3 along 3 line 3a 3- 3a 3 ' 3, 3 and 3 fig. 3 6 3 ( 3b 3) 3 is 3a 3 cross 3- 3 sectional 3 view 3 of 3 the 3 exhaust 3 duct 3 80 3 of 3 fig. 35 3 taken 3 along 3 line 3b 3- 3b 3' 3. 3 For convenience, the exhaust port 83 is drawn by a dashed-dotted line in fig. 6 (a).

The detailed structure of the exhaust duct 80 will be described with reference to fig. 4 to 6.

The exhaust duct 80 is formed by overlapping a first casing 81 facing the casing 10 and a second casing 82 facing the tub 20 in front and rear directions, and joining

flange portions

81a and 82a to each other by a joining method such as vibration welding so as to be water-proof. The exhaust duct 80 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the vertical direction and flat in the front-rear direction. A substantially rectangular exhaust port 83 is formed in a surface of the upper end of the exhaust duct 80 on the side of the cabinet 10. An air inlet 84 is formed in a surface of the lower end of the exhaust duct 80 on the outer tub 20 side. The air inlet 84 has a cylindrical shape and protrudes into the exhaust duct 80. The left-right width of the lower end portion of the exhaust duct 80 gradually narrows toward the suction port 84.

The discharge port 20c formed at the lower portion of the side surface of the outer tub 20 has a cylindrical shape and protrudes outward. The outer diameter of the discharge port 20c is equal to the inner diameter of the suction port 84 of the exhaust duct 80. The exhaust duct 80 is designed such that the air inlet 84 is fitted into the outlet 20c of the outer tub 20 and the surface of the outer tub 20 side is almost closely attached to the outer tub 20, and fixed to the outer tub 20. At this time, the outlet 20c and the inlet 84 are connected to each other in a water-isolated state by a sealing material or the like.

An overflow chamber 90 is formed at an upper portion of the outer tub 20. The overflow chamber 90 has an upper side of the front wall 91 opened toward the inside of the outer tub 20, and when the water level inside the outer tub 20 exceeds the height of the front wall 91, the water overflowing from the inside of the outer tub 20 flows into the overflow chamber 90. A weir 92 is formed at the bottom of the overflow chamber 90, and a leading end 93a of an overflow pipe 93 extending from the weir 92 is connected to an overflow hose (not shown) extending to the drain hose 41. The water overflowing to the overflow chamber 90 is discharged from the overflow port 92, and is guided to the drain hose 41 through the overflow pipe 93 and the overflow hose. The exhaust port 83 of the exhaust duct 80 is formed at a position higher than the height position of the front wall 91, i.e., the overflow water level low. Since the overflow water level low fw is higher than the highest water level Lmax among the water levels determined by the amount of the laundry, the exhaust port 83 is located higher than the highest water level Lmax.

The exhaust duct 80 stores water at the same level as the water level stored in the outer tub 20 during washing. In the present embodiment, since the exhaust port 83 of the exhaust duct 80 is formed at a position higher than the overflow water level low, water leakage from the exhaust port 83 during washing can be prevented.

Two upper first wall portions 85 and two lower second wall portions 86 protruding from the left and right inner wall surfaces are provided inside the exhaust duct 80. The protruding length of the first wall prevention portion 85 is smaller than the protruding length of the second wall prevention portion 86. The first and second

wall prevention portions

85, 86 on the right side and the first and second

wall prevention portions

85, 86 on the left side are formed at different height positions of the exhaust duct 80.

When the pulsator 26 rotates during washing, water may rise to a higher position in the exhaust duct 80 due to the fluctuation of the water surface in the outer tub 20 and the exhaust duct 80. However, in the present embodiment, since the first and

second barrier portions

85 and 86 can suppress the rise of the water level due to the undulation, it is more difficult for water to leak from the air outlet 83 during washing.

It is desirable that at least the first wall portion 85 located at the highest position in the exhaust duct 80 is located at a position higher than the overflow water level low. Further, the protruding length of the first wall prevention portion 85 may be the same as that of the second wall prevention portion 86. Further, the first and second

wall prevention portions

85, 86 on the right side and the first and second

wall prevention portions

85, 86 on the left side may be formed at the same height position of the exhaust duct 80.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of the full automatic washing and drying machine 1.

The full automatic washing and drying machine 1 includes a control unit 200 in addition to the above-described structure. The control unit 200 includes: a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, a motor drive unit 203, a clutch drive unit 204, a water feed drive unit 205, a pump drive unit 206, a drain drive unit 207, a fan drive unit 208, and a heater drive unit 209.

The operation unit 16 outputs to the control unit 201 input signals corresponding to buttons operated by the user from various buttons such as the power button 16a, the start button 16b, and the mode selection button 16 c. The water level sensor 70 detects the water level in the outer tub 20, and outputs a water level detection signal corresponding to the detected water level to the controller 201.

The motor driving unit 203 drives the drive motor 31 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 201. The clutch driving unit 204 drives the clutch mechanism 32a based on the control signal output from the control unit 201.

The feedwater drive unit 205 drives the feedwater valve 62 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 201. The pump drive unit 206 drives the bath water pump 63 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 201. The drain driving unit 207 drives the drain valve 40 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 201.

Fan drive unit 208 drives fan 52 in accordance with the control signal output from control unit 201. The heater driving section 209 drives the heater 53 in accordance with a control signal output from the control section 201.

The storage section 202 includes an EEPROM, a RAM, and the like. The storage unit 202 stores programs for executing washing operation, washing and drying operation, and drying operation in various operation modes. The storage unit 202 stores various parameters and various control flags for executing these programs.

The control unit 201 controls the motor drive unit 203, the clutch drive unit 204, the water feed drive unit 205, the pump drive unit 206, the drain drive unit 207, the fan drive unit 208, the heater drive unit 209, and the like in accordance with a program stored in the storage unit 202 based on signals from the operation unit 16, the water level sensor 70, and the like.

The full-automatic washing and drying machine 1 performs washing operation, washing and drying operation, or drying operation in various operation modes. The washing operation is an operation of performing only washing, and a washing process, an intermediate dehydration process, a rinsing process, and a final dehydration process are sequentially performed. The washing and drying operation is a continuous operation from washing to drying, and a drying process is performed after a final dehydration process. The drying operation is an operation for only drying clothes, and only a drying process is performed.

In the washing and rinsing processes, the pulsator 26 rotates in the right and left directions in a state where water is accumulated in the washing and dehydrating tub 24. By the rotation of the pulsator 26, a water current is generated in the washing and dehydrating tub 24. In the washing process, the laundry is washed by the generated water stream and the detergent contained in the water. In the rinsing process, the laundry is rinsed by the generated water current.

In the intermediate dehydration process and the final dehydration process, the washing dehydration tub 24 and the pulsator 26 are integrally rotated at a high speed. The laundry is dehydrated by the centrifugal force generated in the washing and dehydrating tub 24.

During the drying process, hot air is supplied from the hot air supply unit 50 into the outer tub 20 by the operation of the fan 52 and the heater 53. In the washing and dehydrating tub 24, the pulsator 26 repeats right and left rotations. The laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 24 is dried by being contacted with the hot air introduced into the washing and dehydrating tub 24 while being stirred by the pulsator 26.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation control operation in the clothes drying process.

In the present embodiment, during the clothes drying process, the heat drying operation and the residual heat drying operation following the heat drying operation are performed. Hereinafter, the drying process will be described in detail with reference to fig. 8.

When the drying process is started, the control part 201 first performs the heating and drying operation. That is, the controller 201 controls the fan driver 208 to operate the fan 52 at the first rotation speed (S1), and controls the heater driver 209 to operate the heater 53 (S2). The first rotation speed is, for example, 3500 rpm. Then, the controller 201 controls the motor driver 203 to operate the drive motor 31 and rotate the pulsator 26 left and right (S3). For example, the on/off time of the reverse operation is set to 3 seconds on-1.5 seconds off. The on time in the drying process is longer than that of the general washing process or rinsing process, and the laundry is moved flexibly in the washing and dehydrating tub 24 by the reverse rotation operation of the pulsator 26 having such a long on time.

When the fan 52 rotates, air passes through the first opening 106, the second opening 107, the third opening 108, and the fourth opening 109 of the bottom surface 101a of the housing chamber 100, and is taken into the housing chamber 100 from the space between the casing 10 and the tub 20. The air taken in flows through the housing chamber 100, and is drawn into the housing 51 through the air inlet 51a provided in the housing 51 of the hot air supply unit 50, while heading toward the air inlet 51 a. The sucked air is heated by the heater 53 to become hot air, and is blown into the outer tub 20 from above through the hot air duct 54. In the outer tub 20, the pulsator 26 is repeatedly rotated in the left and right directions, so that the laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 24 is agitated. The hot air blown into the outer tub 20 is blown into the washing and dehydrating tub 24 from above, and contacts the laundry agitated in the washing and dehydrating tub 24 to remove moisture from the laundry. Thereby, the laundry is dried. The air from which the moisture is removed from the laundry passes through the dehydration holes 24a of the washing and dehydrating tub 24, etc., flows between the washing and dehydrating tub 24 and the outer tub 20, and is discharged from the discharge port 20c provided at the lower portion of the side surface of the outer tub 20. The discharged air flows through the exhaust duct 80 and is discharged to the outside of the machine through the exhaust port 83 of the exhaust duct 80 and the outside exhaust port 11a of the casing 10. In fig. 1, the flow direction of air in the heating and drying operation is shown by arrows.

When the heating and drying operation is continuously performed, the casing 51 of the hot air supply unit 50 and the tub 20 are heated by the heat of the hot air. In this way, the air heated by the heat from the outer tub 20 is taken into the housing chamber 100, and the air flowing in the housing chamber 100 is further heated by the heat from the outer case 51. In this way, air having a temperature higher than the outside air of the full automatic washing and drying machine 1 is taken into the air inlet 51a of the hot air supply unit 50. Thus, compared to the case where the outside air is directly taken into the hot air supply unit 50, the amount of heat of the heater 53 is suppressed, and the power consumption is suppressed.

The control unit 201 determines whether or not a preset heating and drying time has elapsed (S4). When the heating/drying time has elapsed (yes in S4), controller 201 stops heater 53 (S5). Thereby, the heating and drying operation is ended.

Next, the control unit 201 executes the residual heat drying operation. The controller 201 increases the rotation speed of the fan 52 and operates the fan 52 at the second rotation speed higher than the first rotation speed (S6). The second rotation speed is set to 5000rpm, for example.

The air heated by the residual heat of the outer tub 20 and the casing 51 is taken into the air inlet 51a of the hot air supply unit 50, and the air is supplied into the outer tub 20 as a residual heat wind direction without being heated by the heater 53. The laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 24 is dried by contacting with the residual heat wind. Here, since the rotation speed of the fan 52 is increased, the flow rate of the surplus hot air is larger than that of the hot air during the heating and drying operation. Thus, the reduction of clothes drying efficiency caused by the reduction of the temperature of the air contacting with the washing can be compensated by increasing the air volume.

The control unit 201 determines whether or not a preset residual heat drying time has elapsed (S7). When the remaining heat drying time has elapsed (yes in S7), controller 201 stops fan 52 (S8), stops drive motor 31, and stops pulsator 26 (S9). Thereby, the residual heat drying operation is finished, and the drying process is finished.

< effects of the present embodiment >

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the discharge port 20c of the air from the inside of the outer tub 20 is formed at the lower portion of the outer tub 20, the hot air fed into the outer tub 20 from above is easily moved to the lower portion of the washing and dehydrating tub 24. This makes it easier for hot air to penetrate into the laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub 24, and therefore, improvement in drying efficiency can be expected.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the exhaust duct 80 connected to the discharge port 20c and extending upward is provided and the exhaust port 83 is formed in the exhaust duct 80 at a position higher than the overflow water level low at which water overflows from the outer tub 20, water accumulated in the outer tub 20 does not leak during washing and air flowing out from the discharge port 20c can be discharged during drying. Accordingly, the air outlet 20c can be provided at the lower portion of the outer tub 20 without worrying about water leakage during washing.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the air inlet 51a of the hot air supply unit 50 faces the rear side surface 101c of the housing chamber 100 in a spaced state, and the air flowing through the housing chamber 100 is taken into the air inlet 51a by the operation of the fan 52. Accordingly, the air heated by the heat from the hot air supply unit 50 can be heated by the heater 53, so that the heating amount of the heater 53 can be suppressed, and the power consumption of the heater 53, that is, the full automatic washing and drying machine 1 can be suppressed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the air heated by the heat from the tub passes through the first opening 106, the second opening 107, the third opening 108, and the fourth opening 109 formed in the bottom surface 101a of the housing chamber 100, and is taken into the housing chamber 100 from the space between the casing 10 and the tub 20. This allows the air heated further to be taken into the air inlet 51a of the hot air supply unit 50, thereby further suppressing the heating amount of the heater 53.

Further, according to the present embodiment, immediately after the heating and drying operation in which the air heated by the heater 53 is supplied as hot air into the tub 20 during the drying process, the residual heat drying operation in which the air heated by the residual heat of the hot air supply unit 50 and the tub 20 is supplied as residual hot air into the tub 20 is performed. In this way, the laundry can be dried by using the residual heat of the hot air supply unit 50 and the outer tub 20, and thus, the power consumption of the full automatic washing and drying machine 1 can be suppressed during the drying process.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications other than the above embodiments are possible.

< modification example 1>

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a main part showing the structure of the full automatic washing and drying machine 1 according to modification 1.

In the above embodiment, the exhaust duct 80 is provided downstream of the discharge port 20c of the outer tub 20. In contrast, in the present modification, as shown in fig. 9, an on-off valve 110 for opening and closing the discharge port 20c is provided in the discharge port 20c instead of the exhaust duct 80. The opening and closing valve 110 is closed during the washing process, the rinsing process, the intermediate dehydrating process, and the final dehydrating process, and is opened during the drying process, based on the control of the control part 201. In the present modification, the on-off valve 110 corresponds to the exhaust unit of the present invention.

According to the configuration of the present modification, as in the above-described embodiment, the water accumulated in the outer tub 20 does not leak during washing, and the air flowing out from the outlet 20c can be discharged during drying.

< modification example 2>

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a main part showing the structure of the full automatic washing and drying machine 1 according to modification 2.

In the present modification, as shown in fig. 10, an exhaust fan 120 is provided in the exhaust port 83. As the exhaust fan 120, for example, an axial flow fan may be used. The exhaust fan 120 operates during the drying process based on the control of the control unit 201.

With the configuration of the present modification, the air in the outer tub 20 can be strongly drawn into the exhaust duct 80 through the discharge port 20c, and therefore the air in the outer tub 20 can easily flow toward the discharge port 20 c. Accordingly, the hot air supplied into the outer tub 20 from above is more easily supplied to the lower portion of the washing and dehydrating tub 24, and thus further improvement of the drying efficiency can be expected.

< modification example 3>

Fig. 11 is a side sectional view of the full automatic washing and drying machine 1 according to modification 3.

In the above embodiment, air is taken into the housing chamber 100 from the space between the cabinet 10 and the tub 20, and air flowing in the housing chamber 100 is taken into the inlet 51a of the hot air supply unit 50. In contrast, in the present modification, the hot air supply unit 50A having the air inlet 51A on the lower surface of the housing 51A is disposed in the accommodation chamber 100. An air intake port 130 connected to a space between the casing 10 and the tub 20 is formed in the bottom surface 101a of the accommodating chamber 100 so as to face the air inlet 51 a. In this structure, air passes through the air intake port 130 from the space between the cabinet 10 and the tub 20, and is directly taken into the intake port 51a of the hot wind supply unit 50A. The air intake 130 corresponds to an opening of the present invention.

According to the configuration of the present modification, since the air heated by the heat from the outer tub 20 can be taken into the hot air supply unit 50A, the power consumption of the full automatic washing and drying machine 1 during the drying process can be suppressed as in the above embodiment.

< other modifications >

In the above embodiment, air is taken into the housing chamber 100 through the first opening 106 and the like from the space between the cabinet 10 and the outer tub 20. However, the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 may be provided with an air inlet for taking in the outside air at a position deviated from the hot air supply unit 50, that is, at a position near the right side surface 101e of the right side surface 101e and the rear side surface 101c of the housing chamber 100. In this case, the external air taken into the housing chamber 100 through the air inlet is heated by the heat generated from the housing 51 of the hot air supply unit 50, and then taken into the air inlet 51a of the hot air supply unit 50. Therefore, such a structure can also suppress the power consumption of the full automatic washing and drying machine 1 during the drying process.

In the above embodiment, the discharge port 20c and the exhaust duct 80 are provided at the lower portion of the side surface of the outer tub 20 facing the rear surface of the cabinet 10. However, the discharge port 20c and the exhaust duct 80 may be provided at the lower portion of the side surface of the outer tub 20 facing the right and left side surfaces of the cabinet 10. The drain port 20c may be provided at a lower portion of the outer tub 20, and the drain port 20c may be provided at a bottom surface of the outer tub 20 instead of a side surface thereof.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the fully automatic washing and drying machine 1 having the washing and drying tub 24 that rotates around the rotation axis extending in the vertical direction is exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to a fully automatic washing and drying machine having a washing and drying tub that rotates around the rotation axis inclined to the vertical direction.

The embodiments of the present invention may be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the claims.

Claims

1. A washing and drying machine is characterized by comprising:

an outer tub elastically supported in the casing;

a washing and dehydrating tub rotatably disposed in the outer tub;

a hot air supply part including a heater and a fan, for supplying the air heated by the operation of the heater from the upper part of the outer tub into the washing and dehydrating tub by the operation of the fan; and

the discharge port is arranged at the lower part of the outer barrel and is used for discharging air after being contacted with the washings in the washing and dehydrating barrel;

the machine shell comprises an upper panel with an input port for washings,

the hot air supply part is arranged in a containing chamber arranged on the upper panel,

an air inlet of the hot air supply unit faces an inner wall surface of the housing chamber at an interval, and air flowing through the housing chamber is taken into the air inlet by operation of the fan.

2. The washing and drying machine of claim 1, further comprising:

and an air discharge part for discharging the air flowing out from the discharge port during the drying of the clothes without leaking the water stored in the outer tub during the washing.

3. The washer-dryer according to claim 2,

the exhaust part comprises an exhaust pipeline which is connected with the discharge port and extends upwards,

an air outlet is formed in the air exhaust duct, and the air outlet is positioned at a position higher than an overflow water level at which water overflows from the outer tub.

4. The washer-dryer according to claim 1,

the accommodating part is provided with an opening communicated with a space between the shell and the outer barrel, and air in the space is absorbed and circulated in the accommodating chamber through the work of the fan.

5. The washer-dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the machine shell comprises an upper panel with an input port for washings,

the accommodating chamber has an opening communicating to a space between the cabinet and the outer tub,

an air inlet of the hot air supply unit faces the opening, and air in the space is taken into the air inlet by operation of the fan.

6. The washer-dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

a control unit that performs a first clothes drying operation and a second clothes drying operation, wherein the first clothes drying operation operates the heater and the fan, and supplies air heated by the heater from the hot air supply unit into the tub; the second drying operation is immediately followed by the first drying operation, and the fan is operated in a state where the heater is stopped, and air not heated by the heater is supplied from the hot air supply unit into the outer tub.